Western Australia is rolling out the red carpet for hundreds of global travel agents, welcoming them to the G’day Australia event. This exclusive gathering offers a unique opportunity for these agents to connect with Australian tourism professionals and experience the country’s top-tier attractions firsthand.
Tourism Australia, in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, is hosting 300 travel agents, all certified Aussie Specialist Agents. These agents represent major wholesalers and retail outlets from 21 international tourism markets, showcasing the global reach of this event. Throughout the event, they will participate in workshops and networking sessions with over 130 Australian tourism operators, gaining valuable insights into the country’s diverse offerings.
While all participating agents have completed Tourism Australia’s comprehensive online training, only half have previously visited Australia. This firsthand experience will deepen their knowledge of Australia’s travel offerings, providing them with valuable insights to share with their clients.
“Our Aussie Specialists Program helps to teach tens of thousands of travel agents around the world about Australia as a destination, but we know there is nothing like being on the ground to experience it first-hand,” said Phillipa Harrison, Managing Director of Tourism Australia. “G’day Australia is our opportunity to bring about 300 of those agents to Australia to see how incredible the destination is and to also meet with our tourism operators in person to learn more about the products they have to offer.”
The impact of the G’day Australia event is significant. “We know from when we have held this event in the past, that 100 per cent of the agents have walked away saying they intend to sell more of Australia as a result of attending,” added Harrison. “They also drive longer stays that disperse travellers around the country. Importantly, the agents who have been to G’day Australia are able to encourage customers planning to go to other destinations to choose Australia instead, which is vital as we get our visitor economy back on a path of sustainable growth.”
Steph Underwood, Acting Managing Director of Tourism Western Australia, highlighted the event’s importance in elevating the region’s profile in the global tourism industry. “Through this event, we are showcasing our Dream State’s extraordinary tourism experiences and helping build strong, lasting relationships with travel agents from around the world,” she said. “G’day Australia allows us to showcase our assets in a way that resonates with travel professionals, empowering them with practical destination and product knowledge they need to highlight the unique adventures WA offers to their clients and book diverse and exciting itineraries and packages.”
G’day Australia 2024 will continue until Friday, 18 October 2024, featuring a comprehensive nationwide familiarisation program before and after the main event. This program, made possible through the collaboration of State and Territory Organisations, allows international travel agents to explore various destinations across Australia and gain deeper insights into the country’s tourism offerings. The event promises to be a success, boosting tourism in Western Australia and generating a surge in bookings for the region.
