Tourism Australia and Austrade seek international investment in a bid to secure Australia’s Tourism 2020 Strategy goals.
The head of Australia’s national tourism organisation, John O’Sullivan, will visit Hong Kong this week to discuss potential investment opportunities in Australia’s tourism infrastructure with both Hong Kong-based and regional investors.
In addition to addressing the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP), of which Tourism Australia is a key sponsor, Mr O’Sullivan will co-host alongside Austrade (the Australian Trade Commission) an ‘Australian Hotel Investment VIP Luncheon’ with up to 40 leading foreign investors.
As part of the visit Mr O’Sullivan will also unveil a new iPad app showcasing Australian tourism investment opportunities, news on hotel developments and acquisition activity as well as up-to-date statistics on hotel performance and tourism and aviation data.
The HICAP session, entitled ‘Investment Opportunities in Australia’, will include a panel discussion with a group of senior investors with experience in tourism infrastructure projects in Australia. This will be followed by a presentation showcasing Sydney’s CBD Sandstone Buildings, one of Australia’s most exciting current tourism investment opportunities, followed by a series of one-on-one investor meetings.
Pictured: Tourism Aus. Managing Director, John O’Sullivan.
Mr O’Sullivan said that investment in new tourism infrastructure was a key plank of Australia’s Tourism 2020 strategy, with a target of between 6,000 and 20,000 additional hotel rooms by the end of the decade.
“HICAP is an important conference as it attracts investors from all of Australia’s tourism investment target markets and also gives us a valuable platform to demonstrate our credentials in what is our fastest growing and most lucrative inbound tourism market,” he said.
Tourism Australia and Austrade have signed a five-year partnership to work cooperatively to attract tourism investment. Tourism infrastructure is one of the government’s five national investment priorities.
“Trade and Investment Minister Andrew Robb, the minister responsible for tourism, has identified it as one of the key sectors driving Australia’s long-term prosperity. Austrade and Tourism Australia are working hand in hand to maximise that potential,” said Austrade CEO, Bruce Gosper.