NSW SHINES WITH INTERNATIONAL EXPOSURE AT AUSTRALIAN TOURISM EXCHANGE

Destination NSW has presented some of the State’s top suppliers and produce to travel buyers and media from around the globe, as part of the 2019 Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).

The annual event, held by Tourism Australia, is the nation’s largest annual travel and tourism business-to-business conference and brings together Australian tourism businesses, wholesalers and retailers from around the world, allowing international travel buyers with the opportunity to experience Australia’s travel offerings.

Destination NSW Chief Executive Officer Sandra Chipchase said the work of Destination NSW will continue to see the State gain exposure and turbocharge its record breaking revenue.

“Tourism is big business and vital to the NSW economy, contributing $37.8 billion in revenue in the year ended September 2019. In 2016-17, NSW visitors consumed $40.5 billion of goods and services, or 29.9 per cent share of Australia’s tourism consumption,” she said.

Destination NSW works closely with operators to ready them to engage third party distributors such as inbound tour operators (ITOs), wholesalers, online travel agents (OTAs) and retailers in international markets, which is key to attracting overseas visitors.

“Our NSW First Program, which is now in its seventh year, equips the NSW tourism industry with the tools and knowledge needed to gain a competitive edge,” Ms Chipchase said.

“Over the past year alone we have helped to introduce 21 new export ready products to the travel trade through our workshops and assistance.

“We also have nine newly export ready products on display at ATE for the first time in 2019, many of which have been assisted via the NSW First Programs.”

Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said the NSW First Program encouraged NSW based tourism businesses that see an opportunity to capitalise on international markets, but may not know what steps to take, to consider attending as part of the 2019 program.

“The NSW Government, via Destination NSW, is making it easy for tourism businesses to grow and diversify by offering a collaborative educational program that has helped more than 2000 businesses since its inception in 2013," Mr Ayres said.

The products on show at ATE are Birkenhead Point Brand Outlet, Eastsail, Mayfield Garden, Mount Warning Tours, Oakvale Wildlife Park, Picture Me Sydney, Platinum Restaurant Group, Sydney Harbour Boat Tours and Wake Up! Hostels.

Overall, New South Wales has 60 new export ready products in 2019.

The 40th annual Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is taking place at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and concludes today.