Gold Coast tourism offerings showcased during ATEC Meeting Place 2024

This week the Gold Coast is playing host to the annual Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place event which has attracted more than 600 tourism industry leaders, including over 100 international buyers.

The three-day program which is underway until 30th October forms an essential part of the industry calendar offering tourism businesses the opportunity to share their products with the buyers who take their brand to the global stage with over 5500 B2B meetings to take place.

ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley noted “Meeting Place is an essential part of the industry calendar, offering tourism businesses from across Queensland and Australia access to the right buyers who promote them across the globe.

“This is a critical time for our industry with our tourism businesses yet to see full recovery, and ATEC Meeting Place is an essential platform for Australian tourism products to showcase their offerings, build vital connections, and ensure they are front of mind as the global tourism market continues to recover and grow.

“Meeting Place 2024 is also a fantastic opportunity to show off the Gold Coast’s world-class tourism offerings, from stunning nature to vibrant hospitality, giving international buyers a firsthand experience of why this destination continues to be a top choice for visitors worldwide.”

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said it’s fantastic to be hosting such an important tourism event for Australia in Queensland.

O’Callaghan added “The Gold Coast is renowned for hosting incredible events and always puts on a warm welcome and this will be no different for the largest ATEC Meeting Place in its history, with more than 600 tourism experts. 

“We’re setting up the foundations to almost double international overnight visitor expenditure to $11 billion by 2032 and it’s events like ATEC Meeting Place that connect more Queensland tourism operators with trade partners to sell more Queensland holidays.  

“With 64,000 tourism related businesses in Queensland and one in 12 people working in the industry there’s an enormous opportunity for growth which is why we are aiming to build our industry to $44 billion by 2032. 

“ATEC Meeting Place not only sets up a pipeline of business and keeps Queensland top of mind, but also boosts the local economy by an estimated $1.5 million in visitor spending.”

Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said being selected to host this key trade event was testament to the Gold Coast’s global reputation as a must-visit destination. 

“The Gold Coast is the perfect destination to host ATEC Meeting Place 2024, providing our city with an incredible opportunity to showcase why we are the lifestyle capital of Australia,” said Warn. 

“With world heritage-listed rainforests, pristine beaches, world-class theme parks, a jam-packed events calendar, international cuisine including 22 hatted restaurants, and a vibrant arts and culture offering, there is simply no better place to visit. 

“Hosting this key trade event allows us to shine a spotlight on our city directly to inbound trade partners who will help sell it globally. This first-hand experience is critical as we continue to reclaim international demand which was worth more than $1.3 billion to our visitor economy in 2019.”