Brisbane's tourism industry is flexing its muscle as a record number of local businesses head to Australia's biggest travel trade event.

The largest-ever delegation of Brisbane region tourism businesses will converge on the annual Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) in Adelaide from 15 – 19 April to meet with international travel wholesalers and retailers.

Brisbane Marketing Tourism and Major Events General Manager Anne-Maree Moon said the delegation of more than 20 operators would market their businesses to travel buyers from up to 30 countries and showcase Brisbane as a tourism destination of choice.

“ATE is a great way for our tourism businesses to promote their products and services to key travel wholesalers and retailers from across the world,” Ms Moon said.

“By presenting a united front, our tourism businesses will collectively showcase Brisbane as a major tourism destination to key travel decision-makers and help grow the number of visitors to our city.

“Having a record number of local tourism businesses at ATE demonstrates the willingness of our operators to work together to market Brisbane.

“The attendees will showcase the diversity of our city's tourism offerings, including eco-tour, wildlife, indigenous, wine and soft-adventure experiences.

“National hotel chains will also be present at ATE to promote new and soon-to-open Brisbane properties, including FV by Peppers, Adina Brisbane, The Calile and the Novotel Brisbane South Bank.”

Ms Moon said ATE was occurring as Brisbane continued to break records in terms of visitor numbers and expenditure.

“In calendar year 2017, the International Visitor Survey found Brisbane attracted a record 1.3 million overseas visitors and spending reached an all-time high of $2.245 billion,” she said.

“International holidaymakers rose 7.6 per cent to a record high of 696,000, with strong growth from Canada, Germany and Taiwan.

“Attendance at major travel trade events such as ATE is vital to keep this momentum going as we work to grow our new world city's visitor economy.”

Participating operators

• Araucaria Ecotours
• Australian Sunset Safaris
• Brisbane Airport Corporation
• Brisbane by Bicycle
• Brisbane Marketing
• Eco Safaris Queensland
• Emporium Hotels
• Floating Images Hot Air Balloon Flights
• Go Fish Queensland
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary
• Mirimar Cruises
• Oakwood Hotel & Apartments
• Prestige Day Tours
• Riverlife
• Royal on the Park Hotel Brisbane
• Sirromet Wines
• Spirits of the Red Sand
• Story Bridge Adventure Climb
• Summer Land Camels
• Tangatours
• The Vino Bus
• Walk Brisbane
• XXXX Brewery

To find out more about Brisbane, go to visitbrisbane.com.au