Spectre of tourism budget cuts hangs over ATE

The Australian Tourism Exchange 2014 (ATE14), the Southern Hemisphere's largest tourism convention, has commenced in Cairns.

The first Australian regional centre to host Tourism Australia's annual event, ATE14 is expected to deliver $10 million in economic benefit to the Far North Queensland.

About 1,800 delegates are attending the event at which Australian tourism operators showcase their products, meet overseas contacts and negotiate business deals in a bid to boost the country's tourism market. The event hosts 600 travel wholesalers from 40 countries together with 1,200 sellers from over 500 Australian firms

Welcoming the event, Federal Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Robb stated "ATE is the largest trade show of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere and the premiere annual tourism event for the Australian tourism industry.”

Queensland's Tourism Minister Jann Stuckey is expecting the annual event to contribute to the Queensland Government's goal of doubling overnight visitor spending to $30 billion by 2020.

Minister Stuckey added "the destinations and tourism products of Queensland will be centre stage with the strongest presence of any state at the event." Ms Stuckey, who along with Mr Robb, will attend the event.

In addition to the $10 million injection to the local economy, $85 million is business in expected to be written at the event.

However, delegates at the event are concerned about this week’s Federal budget and potential reduced for funding for Tourism Australia. In addition, there is concern that tax rises may impact Australians’ discretionary spending and the country’s $100 billion tourism industry.

In recent weeks, the Federal Government’s National Commission of Audit recommended slashing Tourism Australia’s budget in half, a move widely condemned by industry stakeholders.

ATE14 has been organised by Tourism Australia in conjunction with Tourism and Events Queensland, and airline partners Virgin Australia and Etihad.

ATE14 runs from 11th to 14th May. Click here to visit the event website.

10th May 2014 - CAIRNS ATE SETS BENCHMARK FOR COLLABORATION

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30th April 2013 - CAIRNS TO HOST GLOBAL TOURISM TRADE SHOW IN 2014