Events are a money maker for destinations, that’s no secret, but we never expected to learn just how much a destination can make from hosting the annual Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE).
Tourism leaders from the Gold Coast revealed that hosting the annual travel event this week injected some $10 million into the economy.
That’s particularly impressive because it only represents the financial benefit during the event.
The figure didn’t take into account the millions more that are expected to go into the economy once the 843 international and domestic buys, 1,500 delegates and 87 international and domestic media, go home and tell stories of the “vibrant and energetic” city.
It also helps that Tourism Australia managed to convince Aussie actor and the voice of Australia, Chris Hemsworth, to stop by for a quick chat.
.@chrishemsworth spoke proudly of growing up in @phillipisland yesterday at the Australian Tourism Exchange.#ATE2016 pic.twitter.com/qKLMbgl5oJ
— Melbourne, Australia (@Melbourne) May 17, 2016
Gold Coast Tourism CEO, Martin Winter, expects the long term effect of ATE to be “profound” and predicts the benefits will “be felt for years to come”.
“As we begin to farewell the hundreds of buyers, sellers and the national and international journalists we’d like to thank them for attending ATE16 and we hope they continue to spread the word about the Gold Coast.”
Martin Winter, Gold Coast Tourism CEO
Telling the world’s media all about #visitsunshinecoast #ATE2016 @TourismAus pic.twitter.com/VOHTwdu1cL
— VisitSCcorporate (@VisitSCcorp) May 14, 2016
Next year, Sydney will be the benefactor of millions in ATE money as it plays host to the 2017 event.
Around 2,300 delegates from more than 30 countries are expected to visit NSW and according to Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres, will be given the chance to see the state’s newly constructed International Convention Centre (ICC), Australia’s largest exhibition and convention centre.
ATE returns to Sydney in 2017 https://t.co/idvOl7Geo1 @destinationnsw #ATE16 pic.twitter.com/GcnJfiiky4
— Tourism Australia (@TourismAus) May 19, 2016
Australian Tourism Exchange 2017 will be held from 14-18 May 2017.
