More than 600 tourism professionals are in Hobart this week as the Australian Tourism Export Council’s (ATEC) Meeting Place 2026 gets underway at venues across Hobart, bringing together international tourism buyers and Australian tourism businesses for three days of business appointments, networking and industry discussions.
Held in Tasmania for the first time and delivered in partnership with Tourism Tasmania, ATEC Meeting Place is one of Australia’s leading tourism export showcases, connecting Australian tourism experiences with global markets and creating valuable opportunities to strengthen international partnerships and drive future visitation.
ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley said Meeting Place remained one of the most important events on the inbound tourism calendar, providing a valuable opportunity to strengthen international partnerships and showcase Australian tourism experiences.
“Meeting Place is where the relationships that drive international visitation are built and strengthened, connecting Australian tourism businesses directly with the international buyers who bring visitors to our shores,” Mr Shelley said.
“With global travel patterns, technology and distribution channels continuing to evolve, these connections are more important than ever in helping Australian tourism businesses remain competitive and respond to new opportunities.
“Tasmania is a fantastic destination to host Meeting Place, offering delegates the chance to experience firsthand the extraordinary natural attractions, hospitality and unique tourism experiences that make our country so appealing to international visitors.”
Tourism Tasmania CEO Sarah Kingston Clark said hosting the event was a fantastic opportunity for the state and its tourism operators.
“This is a big moment for Tasmania. Having the people who package and sell Australia to the world here in Hobart, doing business with our Tasmanian operators, is an opportunity we’re really excited to make the most of. For many of those businesses, it’s a chance to meet buyers they simply wouldn’t otherwise get in front of,” Ms Kingston Clark said.
“Events like Meeting Place deliver immediate economic impact, in addition to valuable long term benefits from stronger partnerships and distribution networks. Together, these help build a more resilient, internationally connected industry and grow international visitation, in line with the 2030 Tasmanian Visitor Economy Strategy.
Hobart Airport Chief Operating Officer Matt Cocker said the event was also a chance to highlight Tasmania’s readiness for the international market.
“Hosting Meeting Place in Hobart is an important opportunity to demonstrate to international airlines that Tasmania is ready for greater international connectivity. The strong buyer interest generated through ATEC Meeting Place reinforces the demand for Tasmanian tourism experiences, while Hobart Airport’s upgraded runway now provides the capability to accommodate wide body international aircraft,” Mr Cocker said.
“Together, this helps strengthen the case for future direct services and improved connectivity through key Asian hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong.”
“Tasmania is best experienced in person, and we can’t wait to show ATEC Delegates why,” Ms Kingston Clark said. “We’ve lined up a program of familiarisation tours and local experiences, so every delegate gets an authentic Tasmanian experience while they’re here.”
Meeting Place combines hundreds of business appointments with a conference program exploring the changing international tourism landscape, including emerging markets, technology, distribution and the opportunities shaping the future of Australian tourism exports. The event will wrap up in Hobart on Wednesday night with a gala dinner and ATEC’s Tourism Export Awards.
