Coast secures top travel agent event

THE Gold Coast has secured a major tourism convention which will bring 300 of the most influential travel agents from Asia to the city for a week.

Tourism Australia’s 2018 Corroboree Asia trade event is coming to the Gold Coast for the first time, from August 26 to 31.

The event will bring together 100 Australian tourism operators and 300 agents from priority Asian markets including China, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Federal Tourism Minister Steve Ciobo said the host city of the event – being put on in partnership with Gold Coast Tourism, and Tourism and Events Queensland – would receive spin-offs from it.

“This is showcasing the Gold Coast to some of the most important influencers on people’s travel decisions,” Mr Ciobo said.

“These agents are specialists and help to shape the itinerary of tens of thousands of travellers.”

Corroboree Asia is Tourism Australia’s leading agent training event.

In the 12 months to September, 2017, the Gold Coast had a 4.2 per cent growth in international visitation to a record 1.1 million.