The annual trade event of Tourism Australia – Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) is going to be held at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Melbourne from June 13-19, 2009. The Business-to-Business event will provide a common platform for Australian travel service providers to showcase their products to the overseas service providers and enhance business prospects. Up to 1, 00,000 networking and business appointments are expected to take place during the event. The event is divided into two modules allowing exhibitors to target the markets most appropriate for their business prospects. The Eastern module (June 13-15) targets buyers from Japan and Asia, while the Western module (June 16-19) targets buyers from UK, Europe, USA, Gulf countries, South Africa, New Zealand and South Pacific. This year a total of ten Indian travel companies and 12 Indian delegates will be attending the event.



Talking about the ATE, Abhilasha Jain, Country Manager – India, Tourism Australia said, “We are expecting great participation and are hopeful that the event is going to boost the tourism industry of Australia. We are making sure that every visitor gets a first hand experience of the destination by arranging pre and post tours. We have also introduced various facilities for participants to experience the destination to its fullest.” This year, ATE is offering facilities like WI-FI service, complimentary wellbeing programme (includes morning yoga classes and running sessions). The event is also going to focus on the sustainability issues and will promote Australia's sustainable practices and green credentials.



Apart from the facilities, ATE is also going to provide various offer coupons to the delegates. This includes free entry at Ashcombe Maze & Lavender Gardens (Victoria region); free entry to Ballarat Wildlife Park; free entry to Melbourne Observation Deck; free travel on Puffing Billy Steam Railway; free entry to Victoria National Trust; free Eureka Skydeck and EDGE (not for sellers) entry for ATE buyers; free passes (for buyers) and 50 per cent off for ATE sellers at Philip Island Nature Parks; 50 per cent discount on Philip Island helicopter ride; 50 per cent off on Melbourne River Cruises; 50 per cent discount at Downunder farmstays (valid till June 30, 2010); 50 per cent off for free entry for ATE buyers (20 per cent off for ATE sellers) at Melbourne Aquarium; special discounted rates for Australian Pacific Touring / Mount Buller. There are also special travel vouchers from Skybus (from Melbourne Airport to City Centre).



With the outbreak of Swine flu on global level and having 878 confirmed cases in Australia, Singapore has issued travel advisory against travelling to Australia. Along with this, the recent racism attacks on Indian students have increased the problems. In this situation, Tourism Australia is undertaking every possible step to ensure health safety of the participants of the event.



“Majority of new Swine flu cases are being reported in Victoria region. On behalf of Tourism Australia and our event partners – Tourism Victoria and Qantas Airlines, I want to reassure every participant of ATE that we are taking every precaution to address this issue.” ATE is going to undertake measures like distribution of antiseptic hand cleaner, increased anti-bacterial cleaning and disinfecting the exhibition area daily during the event and specialised treatment of all waste products,” concluded Jain.