Superyacht Australia team represented for the second time the importance of the superyacht industry to Australian tourism at the inaugural Tourism Directions Conference hosted by Tourism Australia and held in Canberra, last week. This event deals mostly with the influences on inbound travel to Australia – popular yacht charter destination, and how they develop the most attractive Australia of tomorrow to guarantee a flourishing Tourism and Hospitality industry.
Australia Yacht Charter Destination - Perth
The conference had a top line up of politicians and industry professionals including Tourism The Hon Minister Martin Ferguson AM MP, previous Qantas CEO and current Chairman of Tourism Australia Geoff Dixon, Minister for Foreign Affairs The Hon Kevin Rudd MP, Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy and Senator The Hon Nick Sherry – Minster Assisting the Minister for Tourism.
The Hon. Kevin Rudd, Minister for Foreign Affairs referring to the tourism industry said that “despite challenges, resilience remains”, he also emphasized the potential for securing significant tourism business from China but that this could only be achieved with Australian’s taking a proactive approach to understanding the Chinese culture and their travel preferences and trends.
Throughout the day it was suggested that by 2020 Chinas outbound travelers will grow from 58 – 125 million.
Chris Briggs GBRMPA, MaryAnne Edwards CEO Superyacht Australia and Tony Charters - Tony Charters and Associates
Superyacht Australia CEO MaryAnne Edwards said it was promising to hear that Tourism Australia intend to focus on attracting the high end tourist to Australia.
“This is encouraging as we need to ensure that we market the fact that Australia has superior tourism facilities and services for the high calibre discerning client”
Superyacht Australia has been working with Tourism Australia and Government to ensure that Superyachts cruising to Australia are recognised as a significant impact on the Australian Tourism and Hospitality industry.
While at the conference Superyact Australia CEO, MaryAnne Edwards and Marketing and Events Executive Victoria Smith took the opportunity to meet with Chris Briggs – Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA), and key state tourism representatives.
