Australian Tourism's Premier Event Opens in Cairns

Starting today (12 May 2014), Australia's premier event for showcasing the country's best tourism attractions for international visitors ‐ the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) ‐ will get underway at the Cairns Convention Centre.

Organised by Tourism Australia in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland, and airline partners Virgin Australia and Etihad, ATE14 will bring together 1,200 Australian delegates from 429 Australian tourism businesses to meet with 600 key buyer delegates from 38 countries to meet in 50,000 business appointments over five days. ATE enables Australian tourism product suppliers (such as hotels, airlines, and attractions) to secure future business to further grow Australia's $98 billion tourism industry.

Tourism Australia will hold a media briefing with the Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, to share details of the recent growth in Australian tourism and plans for ensuring Australia remains competitive in the global travel market.

Tourism Australia and Virgin Australia will also make an important announcement regarding their partnership.

WHEN:
Monday 12 May 2014
10am to 10.30am: Media Briefing and Q&A Session with ATE14 Partners
‐ Tourism Australia, Tourism and Events Queensland, and Virgin Australia
11am to 11.45am: Tourism Australia Briefing
‐ Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Andrew Robb AO, MP ‐ Tourism Australia MD, John O'Sullivan

WHERE:
Cairns Convention Centre, Meeting Room 8

WHO:
Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Andrew Robb AO, MP
Tourism Australia Managing Director, John O'Sullivan
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO, Leanne Coddington
Virgin Australia Chief Customer Officer, Mark Hassell

CONTACT:
Leo Seaton, Tourism Australia, ph: 0447 463 197
Kim Moore, Tourism Australia, ph: 0419 978 561
Jacqui Abbott, Virgin Australia, ph: 0478 403 606