ATE 2014 legacy boosts Cairns tourism

Having hosted the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) last year, Cairns has been reaping the benefits from having hosted the biggest annual gathering of overseas tourism and travel buyers and Australian sellers.

Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Alex de Waal recently told The Cairns Post that hosting ATE in Cairns had generated greater awareness of the destination.

de Waal stated “anecdotal evidence suggests wholesalers have included more Cairns and Great Barrier Reef content in their offerings.

“We should start seeing the benefits of ATE14 through increased visitation from April 1 as brochures would have been released earlier in the year for this travel period.

“China Eastern increased direct flights for the Chinese New Year period in response to the strength of that market.

“The confidence shown by SilkAir announcing direct flights from May also would have been influenced by the positive distribution system noise around ATE.”

Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park Chief Executive Greg Erwin said ATE14 had been invaluable during the final stages of the $12 million redevelopment for showing existing agents the new product coming on line as well as introducing new agents.

Erwin stated “we have received one new contract which emerged from our contacts at ATE14 and we believe this result was enhanced by the opportunity to show that client what Tjapukai offers.”

Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree Executive Officer Tara Bennett said that following ATE, several groups had confirmed visiting the area as part of their Australian itineraries.

Bennett stated “particular success has come out of North America and Scandinavia.”

ATE14 ran from from 11th to 14th May 2014. 

12th May 2014 - SPECTRE OF TOURISM BUDGET CUTS HANGS OVER ATE

10th May 2014 - CAIRNS ATE SETS BENCHMARK FOR COLLABORATION