Gold Coast hosts major tourism conference

THE Gold Coast is eager to cash in on the Asian tourism market as the city hosts yet another major tourism conference on the back of the Commonwealth Games.

More than 400 Asian travel agents and Australian tourism businesses – including 38 from Queensland, of which 16 are from the Gold Coast – have descended on the tourist city for Corroboree Asia 2018.

The Asian tourism market injected $2.9 billion into Queensland’s economy in the 12 months to March.

Assistant Tourism Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the event formed part of the line-up of business conferences secured for the Coast following the success of the Commonwealth Games.

“The momentum of the games continues to build,” Ms Scanlon said. “Staging this event on the Gold Coast reinforces our city’s position as one of Queensland’s major business event hubs.”

“Travel agents play an important role in helping tourists decide their next destination. We’re working tirelessly to build the profile of the Gold Coast in Asia – Hosting Corroboree Asia helps us do just that.

“It gives us a unique platform to showcase our visitor experiences to influential international frontline travel specialists based in Queensland’s key Asian markets.”

It’s the third year in a row the Gold Coast has been chosen to host one of Tourism Australia’s key events, following the Corroboree West tourism event in 2017 and the Australian Tourism Exchange in 2016.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said Queensland was keen to cash in on the lucrative Asian market.

“We’re seeing burgeoning outbound travel from Asia. This region is vitally important when it comes to our strategy to grow Queensland’s $25 billion tourism industry,” Ms Jones said.

“That’s why the Palaszczuk Government is investing record funding in the tourism sector, including an extra $180 million over the next year.”

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the Gold Coast was thrilled to have been awarded destination hosting rights for a second inaugural Corroboree event.

“Entrusting Destination Gold Coast to host back-to-back trade events for key international visitor markets including Asia, has afforded us an invaluable opportunity to showcase our diverse tourism portfolio,” Ms Battista said.

“This is a great vote of confidence from Tourism Australia, and reinforces the Gold Coast as world-class tourism and major events destination.”