Australian Tourism Exchange returns to Melbourne

The largest tourism trade show in the southern hemisphere has officially opened in Melbourne, bringing together thousands of Australian tourism businesses with hundreds of international buyers from around the world, thanks to support from the Albanese and Allan Labor Governments.

Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator Don Farrell and Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Steve Dimopoulos this morning launched the Australian Tourism Exchange 2024 (ATE24), which will be hosted at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from today until Thursday.

ATE24 has attracted record numbers of Australian tourism sellers and international buyers from 37 countries, demonstrating the strong global interest in our country as a world-class holiday destination.

More than 2600 delegates will take part in the event, including a record 714 global tourism buyers who will have a total of around 50,000 one-on-one business appointments with Australian tourism operators.

ATE showcases Australia's diverse tourism offerings and helps local tourism operators secure future business, with 100 per cent of international buyers feeling more capable of selling Australian products and experiences as a result of their attendance at ATE23 on the Gold Coast last year.

ATE24 will host almost 800 international buyers and media, who will visit more than 500 tourism operators around the country to showcase the unique breadth and depth of what Australia has to offer.

As host state, Victoria will host 414 tourism buyers and media with 62 unique travel itineraries across the state, with visits to 331 Victorian tourism operators.

This is the ninth time Melbourne has hosted the Australian tourism industry's biggest business-to-business event, having most recently staged ATE in 2015.

ATE24 is delivered by Tourism Australia in partnership with Visit Victoria.

Quotes attributable to Federal Tourism Minister Don Farrell:

"The Australian Tourism Exchange is Tourism Australia's biggest annual event, which helps showcase Australia to the world and drive business opportunities for tourism operators around the country.

"The long-term benefits from events like this are substantial - the relationships and future business it establishes can grow Australia's tourism industry by billions."

Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos:

"Over four days, a record number of more than 100 Victorian tourism businesses will meet with global decision-makers and media to increase international awareness of the Victorian experience, and boost visitation numbers."

Quote attributable to Sunnymead Hotel owner Damien Cerantonio:

"We can't wait to see the distinctively Victorian touches that will make ATE feel like home and to work alongside other local businesses to drive visitation."