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Australia’s inbound tourism community will descend on Perth later this month as the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) stages its annual Meeting Place. This cornerstone event has quietly become the business equivalent of a family reunion for the visitor economy.

This year’s gathering, delivered in partnership with Tourism Western Australia, is set to draw around 530 delegates, including 120 international buyers, for three days of brisk conversation, deal-making, and the occasional polite jostle for coffee.

ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley describes the event as one of the rare occasions when the country’s sprawling tourism network gathers under one roof.

“Meeting Place remains one of the most important events on the inbound tourism calendar, where relationships are built, opportunities are forged, and the future of Australia’s visitor economy is shaped,” Mr Shelley said.

Those relationships will be tested best through more than 5,000 B2B meetings linking Australian tourism suppliers with global distribution partners. In an age of virtual everything, the power of a firm handshake and a shared itinerary still carries weight.

Recognising Excellence and the Next Generation

Adding a celebratory note, the event will host the ATEC Annual Tourism Export Awards, honouring excellence across eight categories. It’s a night when the industry swaps spreadsheets for champagne and applauds the operators, marketers, and innovators who’ve kept the sector buoyant.

Equally uplifting is the graduation of nearly 40 participants from the ELITE Emerging Leaders Program, which recorded a 41% rise in participation this year. The program is quietly cultivating the next wave of industry leaders who will define Australia’s visitor story in the future.

“The ELITE Program continues to grow in strength and community,” Mr Shelley said. “It reflects ATEC’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of tourism leaders.”

It’s a message that resonates in a sector long known for its resilience – the appetite for mentoring and upskilling signals not just recovery but renewal.

Confidence Returns to the Industry

ATEC itself is enjoying a firmer footing, reporting a 15% lift in new memberships and renewals over the past year. Mr Shelley attributes this statistic to renewed confidence and a clearer sense of purpose within the inbound community.

After several difficult years, many businesses are rediscovering their optimism and calendars. The phones are ringing again, the emails are flowing, and the partnerships that sustain the visitor economy are back in full swing.

Smoothing the Path with Innovation

One of ATEC’s more forward-thinking moves has been introducing the Tourism Trade Checklist. This practical new system simplifies health, safety, and compliance verification for suppliers and partners alike.

It might not sound glamorous, but as Mr Shelley notes, it’s transformative.

“The Tourism Trade Checklist is about making trade relationships smoother, safer, and more efficient,” he said. “It helps ensure Australia remains a trusted and competitive destination for international partners.”

The kind of quiet innovation underpins the progress of the machinery beneath the sparkle of Australia’s global tourism appeal.

A Westward Gathering of Optimism

Perth is a fitting host for such an event. The city has grown into a confident gateway between east and west, offering delegates a reminder that tourism is as much about place as it is about people. Western Australia’s landscapes and hospitality will undoubtedly play their part in future conversations.

For more information, visit www.atec.net.au or www.westernaustralia.com.

ATEC’s Meeting Place has never been merely a conference; it’s the sector’s annual pulse check. If the numbers, energy, and enthusiasm gathering in Perth are any indication, that pulse is once again beating strongly.