The Australian Tourism Export Council’s annual event will examine emerging source markets, evolving travel distribution and artificial intelligence, while connecting Australian tourism operators with international buyers.
More than 500 tourism industry representatives are expected to gather in Hobart, Tasmania, from 26 to 28 October for ATEC Meeting Place 2026, as Australia’s tourism export sector looks to strengthen international trade relationships and respond to changes in global travel demand.
Organised by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) in partnership with Tourism Tasmania, the three-day event will bring together Australian tourism operators and travel distributors involved in selling the country to international visitors. The programme includes business-to-business meetings, destination showcases, networking events and conference sessions.
India and China are among the markets highlighted in the event coverage, alongside broader discussions on changing traveller behaviour, tourism distribution and the growing role of technology in how trips are researched, marketed and booked.
Peter Shelley, managing director of ATEC, said the industry was navigating rapid changes in how travellers discover and purchase travel, alongside evolving distribution models and the influence of emerging technologies.
The conference programme will include a data-led session from Localis examining assumptions about inbound tourism and the distribution of international visitors across regional destinations. Tourism and technology entrepreneur Rod Cuthbert is also scheduled to present 30 Years of Distribution: What Happens Next?, exploring the evolution of online travel sales and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the sector.
The event is designed to create commercial opportunities for Australian tourism businesses by connecting them with buyers and distributors active in international markets. Around 120 travel buyers are expected to attend, according to Tourism Tasmania, representing key markets including the United States, the United Kingdom, Greater China, Singapore and New Zealand.
Alongside structured trade appointments, delegates will have opportunities to experience Tasmania through curated destination activities, showcasing the island state’s tourism products and experiences to those who work with international visitors.
Meeting Place 2026 will also include networking functions and the ATEC Tourism Export Awards, recognising achievements across Australia’s tourism export industry.
With global travel distribution evolving and competition for international visitors continuing, the event will provide a forum for Australian tourism operators to build trade relationships, explore market opportunities and assess how technology is reshaping the visitor economy.
