Perth to host 2019 Australian Tourism Exchange

Perth will be showcased as the hostof the 40th annual Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in April 2019.

Federal Minister for Trade, Tourismand Investment, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP said Perth was set to benefit from animmediate injection of visitors attending ATE and over the longer term attractmore international visitors.

"ATE is Australia's largest annualevent for building tourism opportunities in Australia and an incrediblyimportant event for the Australian tourism industry. No other event providesthe same opportunity for Australian tourism businesses to personally connectwith tourism buyers from all over the world," said the Minister.

"Collectively, the internationaltravel wholesalers and retailers who attend ATE bring close to three millionvisitors to Australia each year with an estimated pre-booked spend of between$5.5 and $8.5 billion as well as the on-ground spend in Australia. ATE19 willhelp to grow Australia's $100 billion tourism industry and significantlycontribute towards achieving our Tourism 2020 goal of more than $115 billion inovernight visitor expenditure," he said.

"Western Australia welcomed morethan 945,000 international visitors in 2017 and this event will help to growthis number, as well as boost to the Perth economy."

WesternAustralian Minister for Tourism, the Hon Paul Papalia said Perth is perfectlypositioned to host ATE19 as the unprecedented hotel and eventinfrastructure development in WA's cosmopolitan capital comes to fruition.

"We've seen Perth, Australia's sunniest capital city,transform into one of the nation's most interesting destinations with a vibrantcity life surrounded by nature, and ATE19 will be our time to really shine foran international audience," said the Minister.

"We want Perth to be one of the most desirable leisure, andbusiness events, destinations across the world, and ATE19 gives us anextraordinary opportunity to position ourselves as Australia's Western Gateway.

Tourism Australia will work in conjunctionwith Tourism Western Australia to deliver ATE19 from 8 to 12 April. This willbe the fourth time ATE has been hosted in Perth, with the event last beinghosted in the city in 2012.

More than 550 Australian tourismbusinesses will attend ATE19 and showcase their products and services to over650 agents who sell Australian holidays internationally.