Tourism Australia considers outsourcing Australian Tourism Exchange

Tourism Australia is exploring the possibility of outsourcing the management of its premier travel trade show, Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).

The move follows a recent review of Tourism Australia's activities, including its trade events program, seeking potential efficiencies and better value for industry.

To help evaluate whether such an option is desirable and viable, the agency is expected to seek Expressions of Interest from organisations to manage its key trade show post after the Cairns event next year.

The review focused on Tourism Australia's distribution, including its trade events, as it seeks "potential efficiencies and better value for industry".

A statement explained "one recommendation of the review was that Tourism Australia (TA) consider the option of outsourcing the management of future ATE events.

"To help evaluate whether such an option is desirable and viable, TA is seeking expressions of interest from organisations to manage AE post 2014.

"Depending on the outcome, TA will then decide whether to proceed to full tender or not."

The annual event brings together 600 overseas travel buyers from over 40 countries to meet with around 1,700 Australian delegates from 630 companies from every state and territory. ATE will be hosted in Cairns for the first time in 2014, from 11th to 16th May.