Press Release

Monday 28 May 2007

AUSTRALIAN TOURISM EXCHANGE
Tasmanian tourism operators are in Brisbane preparing to sell the State’s holiday wares at Australia’s premier tourism trade event.

The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is the largest international travel trade show in the southern hemisphere, and it brings Australian tourism businesses together with airlines, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world.

The eastern module runs from 26-28 May and is attended by tourism buyers from Japan and Asia.

The western module runs from 29 May until 1 June and includes buyers from Europe, the Americas, Africa, Gulf countries, New Zealand and the South Pacific.

The Minister for Tourism, Arts and the Environment, Paula Wriedt, said Team Tasmania has been working hard to create a stand-out, high-profile Tasmanian presence at ATE.

“Tourism Tasmania coordinates the participation of Team Tasmania, which this year consists of 15 participants in the eastern module, and 25 in the western module,” Ms Wriedt said.

“They will be vying with 1,700 Australian delegates from 630 companies, for the attention of some 600 key overseas buyers from more than 40 countries.”

“As a small state, Tasmania always fares well at ATE, particularly in the western hemisphere module, which is testament to Tourism Tasmania’s marketing and partnership strategies in key overseas regions.”

“This year approximately 60 international trade and domestic journalists will attend the event, reporting to millions of people worldwide on what is new in the Australian travel and tourism industry.

“And in what’s believed to be a first for any state or territory, Tourism Tasmania has put all its ATE product information for media and trade onto a discovertasmania.com USB bracelet.

“It contains some 50 pages of information such as product profiles, media statements, destination articles, news about tourism product and events and images.”

Ms Wriedt said the bracelet has 512 megabytes of memory but only about 50 per cent has been used so there is plenty of space for more information to be added on our wonderful destination.

“Tasmania has long been known for its innovation and resourcefulness,” said Ms Wriedt.

“The introduction of the USB is another small, but significant example of this.”

The Minister will attend ATE on 28 and 29 May.

For further information contact Tourism Tasmania's Communications Unit

(03) 6230 8244
email mediainfo@tourism.tas.gov.au