Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns hits the target with almost perfect score from tourism bosses

CAIRNS has been given an almost perfect score for the staging of the Australian Tourism Exchange.

Local tourism operators are confident they have secured lucrative business during this week’s Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns. Mark Evans and Helen Sham from Paronella Park.

New Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan told The Cairns Post that he had given the event a 9.95 score out of 10 rating and accepted the blame for it not being 100 per cent.

“The .05 is Tourism Australia’s margin of error … there were a couple of hiccups at our end,’’ he said at the end of the event last night.

ATE is the largest tourism business event in the southern hemisphere, attracting nearly 2000 buyers and sellers of Australian tourism products.

Mr O’Sullivan said he would support the city hosting the event again but it would not be eligible until 2018.

Next year is Melbourne’s turn.

“I am mainly happy. There have been some big positives, especially the way the community has engaged with it,’’ he said.

Mr O’Sullivan said the community had taken ownership of ATE14 with little things such as the owner of coffee shop Caffiend opening 30 minutes early so he could buy his executive team coffee before an early start to the day.

He said Cairns had proven it could stage the event, from the venue at the Cairns Convention Centre and good hotels, to airport access and walking distance to accommodation, restaurants and other venues.

“Cairns has all the ingredients,’’ Mr O’Sullivan said.

He said there was “a nice atmosphere” with touches such as three-wheeler rickshaws transporting people around the CBD.

He said delegates had taken advantage of experiencing the Far North’s tourism products while at ATE, something which was difficult in capital cities.

Mr O’Sullivan said businesses had boomed with restaurants doing a roaring trade.

“I heard of one restaurant that sold nine bottles of Moet (champagne to one table),’’ he said.

“The food you get here is as good as anywhere else.’’

Mr O’Sullivan said foreign buyers were pleased to see fresh products and new sellers among the Australian contingent of 1200 industry representatives.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Alex de Waal said many overseas delegates had been travelling to the Reef, rainforest and other tours.

He said many had devoted extra days to see attractions.

Mr de Waal said some influential buyers had made the effort to travel to this year’s ATE because it was in Cairns.

He said Joachin Voss, the head of German travel experts Meiers Weltreisen, had attended instead of sending staff.

“He was very impressed, he has not been here for eight years,” Mr de Waal said.

Australian Tourism Exchange in Cairns hits the target with almost perfect score from tourism bosses