South Coast tourist attractions are on show to the world. Photo: SCTIA.
South Coast tourism operators are mixing it with the heavyweights in global tourism at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE23) on the Gold Coast in Queensland this week.
Taking part in the Australian tourism industry’s largest annual business-to-business event for the first time, representatives from businesses in the Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Local Government Areas (LGAs) will showcase the region’s tourism offerings as it continues to grow its recognition as one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Members of the new South Coast Tourism Industry Association (SCTIA) will have an opportunity to educate others in the sector about how and why the region has become such a hot tourism destination.
Association president Michelle Bishop is delighted to be at ATE for the first time and said it was the seminal tourism event on the Australian calendar.
“The secret is out and so our task now is to show the industry why our members’ products and offerings are so unique,” she said.
Association board member Libby Cupitt of Cupitt’s Winery in Ulladulla said interest in the South Coast was exploding now that people realised how unspoilt the region was.
“We have remote wilderness, the best beaches in Australia, and the most beautiful national parks,” she said.
The tourism association will showcase unique attractions such as the Paperbark Camp at Huskisson. Photo: Rachael Tagg.
“But increasingly, we have a sophisticated market-ready tourism industry that is ready to serve global markets.”
Cornerstone SCTIA member Alloggio CEO Will Creeden said: “This is just the beginning of something very special for our region as the whole industry awakens to the opportunities we can provide.”
The association was launched in late 2022 and is attracting many of the key players in the region’s tourism industry.
Its aim is to advocate on tourism policy and to run programs, networking events and education for its members across the three LGAs in its region: Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega.
ATE will bring together Australian tourism businesses, tourism wholesalers and retailers from around the world to participate in key networking events and allow international buyers to experience Australia’s tourism offerings firsthand.
About 1500 Australian seller delegates and 650 buyer delegates from more than 30 countries are expected to attend.
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