Australia’s leading tourism buyers at the annual Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) Meeting Place in Adelaide today and yesterday were very positive about selling Cairns & Great Barrier Reef as a destination.
TTNQ had 27 appointments with Chinese and Western markets at the flagship tourism trade engagement event and attended breakout sessions about the return of the China market and collaborating when packaging products.
Aviation challenges remain an issue for Western markets, but they are excited about additional capacity and new routes. Sustainable products and carbon offsets are a must for European clients and customised itineraries are essential for independent travellers. Bookings continue to have a 6-9 month window. The US market reported strong inquiries and demand.
The Chinese appointments were very positive with the first China Eastern fight landing today in Brisbane. The expectation is that the incoming flights will also have a great impact for markets beyond Brisbane. Cairns is well positioned for the FIT market with solid demand from that sector.
Training opportunities, trade engagements with famil opportunities and the commencement of campaigns will be a highlight for follow ups after the event.
TTNQ’s Lani Strathearn is a finalist for the Len Taylor Young ATEC Award for Leadership in the ATEC Excellence Awards 2023 which will be announced tonight. Michael Nelson from Pinnacle Tourism Marketing is a finalist in the Captain Trevor Haworth Outstanding Contribution to the Tourism Export Industry and CaPTA Group’s Ben Woodward is a finalist in the Outstanding Contribution by an Individual to the Australian Tourism Export Council. TTNQ and Tourism Port Douglas Daintree are finalists for Partner of the Year.
[ATEC Meeting Place underway – TTNQ Fortnightly Pulse – 1 November 2023]