Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

ATEC welcomes 2025 board and highlights its year of growth

ATEC welcomes 2025 board and highlights its year of growth
December 6, 2024

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) held its 52nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 3rd December 2024 which saw the ratification of ATEC’s National Board and presented an opportunity to reflect on a successful year of industry support and strategic achievements. 

Birgit Bourne from Insight Australia and Kathy Turner from Goway Inbound were re-elected unopposed to Buyer positions while Richard Doyle of SeaLink Marine & Tourism re-elected to the Supplier position.

Managing Director Peter Shelley addressed members, highlighting ATEC's achievements in 2024 as the organisation continued to support the tourism export through initiatives including: 

  • Facilitated 17,000 B2B meetings nationwide, involving over 1,200 delegates.
  • More than 4000 enrolments in ATEC’s Tourism Training Hub. 
  • Delivered 13 export industry-specific capacity-building education programs.
  • Achieved significant membership growth, with strong renewals and new acquisitions.
  • Reported 95% member satisfaction, with 98% affirming membership value for money.
  • Secured the re-establishment of the Approved Destination Status (ADS) program for the China market
  • Negotiated the extension of the Reviving International Tourism Grant (RITG) program giving members longer to spend their grant money.

Shelley noted "ATEC’s achievements this year have worked to support Australia’s export tourism sector as it rebuilds through the delivery of critical industry training to expanding market-specific programs.

"We also continue to successfully connect our members through our extensive business to business events and we remain committed to empowering our members and ensuring the sector’s growth in 2025 and beyond.”

The AGM was the last for Board Chair Denis Pierce, who presided over his final AGM in the role. Pierce has been a cornerstone of ATEC’s leadership, contributing decades of expertise to the tourism industry, including serving as Managing Director of ATS Pacific and holding positions on various tourism boards and companies. Recognised with the Captain Trevor Haworth Award for Outstanding Contribution to the tourism export industry in 2000, Pierce expressed his gratitude and reflected on his journey.

"It’s been an incredible privilege to work alongside ATEC’s members and the dedicated board. While stepping down as Chair, I look forward to continuing work in, and supporting the industry and seeing it thrive in the years ahead." 

Plans to appoint a new Chair will be announced in early 2025. 

More information on ATEC Board 

Related Articles

29th October 2024 - Gold Coast tourism offerings showcased during ATEC Meeting Place 2024

11th October 2024 - ATEC releases program highlights for Meeting Place 2024

8th August 2024 - ATEC survey highlights vital role of Working Holiday Maker visa holders in Australia’s tourism success

16th June 2024 - ATEC flags Australia’s export tourism recovery as slow but steady

15th May 2024 - ATEC welcomes Federal Government budget funding commitment to export tourism 

11th May 2024 - ATEC highlights Australia’s tourism marketing costs are climbing

17th February 2024 - ATEC highlights China visitor recovery slower than expected for Lunar New Year   

10th November 2023 - ATEC recognises tourism industry excellence at 2023 Awards and Graduation ceremony 

1st November 2023 - ATEC highlights GenAI as tourism’s biggest revolution

15th October 2023 - South Australia to host ATEC export tourism marketplace

19th September 2023 - ATEC tourism tutorial to refresh knowledge on Chinese market

9th September 2023 - ATEC launches an array of new market focused Host programs

1st September 2023 - ATEC concerned about high airfares and limited capacity damaging tourism exports

14th August 2023 - ATEC partners with Destination NSW to offer tourism businesses free inbound training

11th August 2023 - ATEC welcomes Australia returning to China’s list of Approved Destination Status nations

15th July 2023 - ATEC spotlights the focus of its upcoming national conference in Adelaide

1st June 2023 - New accessible and inclusive tourism training program launched by ATEC

27th April 2023 - ATEC spotlights need for budget boost to help in recovery of Australia’s inbound tourism


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

Advanced Aquarium Technologies

Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) is a world leader in the design, construction, and operation of landmark public aquariums. Led from Queensland, AAT has delivered aquarium projects in over 25…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Parks / Zoos

 
 

Riedel Communications Australia Pty Ltd

We live for media production and global events, providing real-time networks for video, audio, data and communications.

read more

Entertainment / Events / Technology / Venues

 
 

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 

Yellowbox Lockers

Yellowbox is an Australian technology company that has developed smart locker technology operated through an app with a focus on experience for users and facility managers. Found at Beaches, Aquatic…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Entertainment / Retail / Security

 
 

AlphaFit

AUSTRALIAN MADE. FIT FOR PURPOSE. Based on the Gold Coast, AlphaFit is a leading manufacturer and supplier of Australian gym equipment specifically for the commercial, strength and conditioning,…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Elite Pool Covers

Since 1989 Elite Pool Covers have designed and manufactured an extensive range of high quality affordable manual,semi-automatic and fully-automatic pool cover systems for the harsh Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Technology / Venues

 
 

Goplay Commercial Playground Equipment

Goplay designs and manufactures specialised playground equipment for indoor play centres, hotels, food chains, clubs and resorts. If our years of experience and dedication have taught us one thing,…

read more

Play

 
 

SWIMPLEX AQUATICS

Swimplex Aquatics are a world-class company dedicated to the commercial pool, waterslide industry. We are Australian market leaders servicing all states Australia wide. Swimplex provide a full…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Design / Play / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business