Melbourne to host Australian Tourism Exchange in 2020

Tourism Australia has announced that Melbourne will play host to the 41st edition of Australia’s largest annual tourism trade event, Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in 2020.

More than 2,000 delegates will descend on the Victorian capital next year for the premier tourism event, which will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 10 to 14 May 2020.

ATE 2020 will be delivered by Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria. This is the ninth time that ATE has been staged in Melbourne, having first been held there in 1991 and then again in 1992, 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2009 and 2015.

Tourism Australia’s Managing Director, John O’Sullivan, said that the event offers a valuable platform for Australian operators to sell their world-class offerings to global buyers.

“I am very pleased that ATE will be making a return to Melbourne in 2020. The event will see tourism buyers from more than 30 countries descending on the city for four days of face-to-face meetings with key Australian tourism operators, networking opportunities and educational famils.”

“The economic benefits of ATE are significant and wide reaching. Not only can Melbourne expect an immediate economic injection of close to $10 million during the event, but the business to business relationships established will ensure valuable links between Australian operators and the global distribution network which will help us to realise our Beyond 2020 goals.”

Victoria’s Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, said that ATE will provide an opportunity for the city to showcase its exceptional tourism offerings to delegates from around the world.

“It's great to see the Australian Tourism Exchange returning to Melbourne in 2020, giving Victoria another opportunity to take centre stage and host thousands of tourism and industry leaders from across the globe."

"Victoria recently achieved a record-breaking year for international tourism in 2018, with 3 million visitors spending an unprecedented $8.5 billion. National major events like the Australian Tourism Exchange will ensure we remain front and centre of the industry, and that it continues to grow, providing Victorians with secure jobs in the tourism sector."

ATE is Australia’s annual business-to-business tourism travel trade event, which brings together around 600 travel wholesalers and agents representing 500 companies from more than 30 countries, to meet and do business with 1,500 Australian tourism seller delegates from 500 companies.