Gary Paterson, AOT - Tourism Victoria

Today’s - Inbound Tour Operator
AOT INBOUND | PACIFIC SPIRIT TRAVEL | EXPERIENCE TOURS AUSTRALIA
Gary Paterson | General Manager | Global Sales and Marketing |

With all this choice why work with an
inbounder ?
– We offer

• We use dynamic rates platforms more and more.
• Reliance on the static rates is less relevant
• We require constant Inventory/Allotment
adjustments
• We need PR materials sent in regularly, to use in
our database communications
• We need new images of your products to keep
your products updated online
• We need your products on Facebook / Twitter for
cross promote ..
• We need promotional deals / rates to sale
campaigns

However there are some major challenges
on the horizon that we face as does the
Tourism Industry as a whole.
• Australia’s popularity is very mature and is levelling out but still
very popular and highly desirable.
• Australian Dollar maintaining its strength – big increases with
Asian Currencies
• High Increase of Hotels / Restaurants rates in our Metro Cities
making packages too high for some travellers.

However there are some major challenges
on the horizon that we face as does the
Tourism Industry as a whole. (continued)
• Lack of availability in some Cities means that we are unable
to confirm some Australian business – due to lack of hotel
rooms.
• As Australia looks to Asia in these tougher conditions so does
the rest of the world.
• European Airlines flooding the Asian Marketplace with cheap
European Airfares cheaper than the fare to Australia

Asia – Is a fantastic source for business but
it really requires careful research and clear
understanding.
• We work with 17 Asian Markets and every market is different
• Some products are good for one Asia market but not the other Asia
markets.
• Malaysia and Hong Kong travellers love to do self drive holidays
• Melbourne & Victoria is hugely important to all markets
• The Language Skills across Asia dictate the type of traveller
• FIT Traveller or a Group Traveller
• Melbourne blessed with enormous range of Cuisine’s
• Chinese travellers complain most Melbourne Chinese Restaurants
are Cantonese style so we had to modify our product range to suit.
• After Dinner activity is highly desirable (Shopping/Massage)
• Are our products Asia Ready ?? (Free Wifi) (Ipod Docks in room)
• Short Lead time / Lots of Changes

Northern Hemisphere Markets
- UK , Europe, USA, Canada…
• 2011 saw a big drop from these traditional markets
• But 2012 has seen some return of business levels
• For AOT YoY we have seen growth from France and Spain
• These markets will come back – but not to the levels we saw 09 &10
• The premium/luxury end of the market is still there
• Airfares from Europe to AUS are still very competitive (but high)
• Emirates / QF partnership will help European business to AUS
• A big note of caution to make sure we do not lose sight of Europe in
all the Asian Hype as these markets will retract and go elsewhere.
• Europeans travellers disperse much more into regional locations
• AUSTRALIA / MELBOURNE / VICTORIA STILL HIGHLY DESIRABLE
AND ON MOST EUROPEANS BUCKET LIST.

Thank You for your time this morning
Q & A ?