South Australia to shine on world stage at Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE)

More than 50 South Australian tourism operators will be showcased to key international trade partners, as the nation’s premier tourism event gets underway this week on the Gold Coast.
 
As Tourism Australia’s flagship trade event, ATE provides an opportunity for operators to promote their business and destination to tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world at appointments and key networking events.
 
Giving South Australian operators a chance to showcase their offering and the state, the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) will host an exclusive SA function, allowing the state’s operators to network with key international buyers.
 
Part of the additional support measures for post COVID international market recovery, the SATC is subsidising half of the registration cost for the 51 South Australian operators exhibiting in the South Australian area which include Mount Lofty House & Sequoia, Kangaroo Island Spirits, Prairie Hotel and Zoos South Australia.
 
Several new operators will attend ATE for the first time such as Southern Cultural Immersion and Bike About Mountain Bike Tours & Hire.
 
Data from Tourism Research Australia shows international visitor expenditure in 2022 grew to $519 million, well above the recovery forecast of $314 million. Pre-COVID, the international market was worth $1.2 billion.
 
It is the first time since the pandemic ATE returns to its traditional four-day face-to face format, following two years of condensed hybrid events. The event will run from 30 April until 4 May 2023.
 
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison said it is "an exciting opportunity" to see over 50 South Australian tourism operators shine at Tourism Australia’s flagship trade event, ATE, which is back in its traditional format for the first time in three years. 
 
"South Australia has so much to offer to international visitors, including the nation’s best beach in Kangaroo Island, the nation’s best restaurant in the heart of our city’s parklands, more than 350 cellar doors in the country’s only Great Wine Capital and the list goes on," she said. 
 
"ATE will provide our tourism operators with a chance to meet directly with tourism buyers and retailers and tell them why they should choose South Australia."
 
"We are committed to recovering our international market, which was worth $1.2 billion pre-COVID. Promoting our state and our unique experiences at key trade events such as ATE will help us further grow tourism."