TTNQ CEO Mark Olsen and the Marketing team Lani Strathearn, Claudia McFadden, Harriet Ganfield and Sam Sakamoto have been meeting with tourism trade and aviation partners at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) on the Gold Coast from 30 April to 4 May.
The wholesale agents in Japan are very positive about promoting Cairns & Great Barrier Reef with three direct air services to Cairns from the end of the June. The additional flights are in time for Japan’s July/August summer holidays when the family market will kick off. There is strong interest in partnering with TTNQ beyond August to promote the destination.
The Indian market is showing growth with the direct Singapore Airlines flights to Cairns and the trade is keen to engage with more TNQ product to round out their offerings. The Singapore flights were also a positive factor for the United Kingdom and European markets with Cairns & Great Barrier Reef included in nearly every itinerary coming out of these markets.
Sustainability was a common theme with strong interest from the Western markets in ecotourism and Indigenous products. Agents in those markets expressed interest in future trade famil opportunities to strengthen their product knowledge.
There was a very positive vibe among the agents, especially those from China who were attending their first face-to-face trade event in three years. Some met with the team just over a week ago during the Queensland mission to China so there is much work underway to be ready for the anticipated return of organised group travel, with the sentiment positive for Chinese New Year.
The long-term benefits from ATE are substantial as the relationships and future business it establishes can grow Australia’s tourism industry by billions over the coming years.
[TTNQ connects with global trade – TTNQ Fortnightly Pulse – 3 May 2023]
