ATC Moves Regional HQ To Singapore

Charmaine Fernz - Mumbai

The tourism industry has had its share of setbacks for the year but the industry is hopeful with the new season just round the corner. Be it new strategies, R&D or even just a focused approach, all players are becoming organised and the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) is no exception to the rule. The ATC team was recently down to conduct orientation programmes for its agents better known as Aussie Specialist. Though, a low-key affair, the message was loud and clear - agents get your act together for the upcoming tourist season - we want results.

Apart from the orientation programme, a major development at ATC is the movement of its regional headquarters. Explains Maggie White, general manager, South and South East Asia, ATC, “Having firmly established a well strategised Aussie Specialist Programme (ASP), the ATC office in Kuala Lumpur will now function as a regional office whereas the ATC Regional Headquarters of South and South East Asia will move to Singapore. Now, the Kuala Lumpur office would manage trade missions worldwide and also handle Asia wide responsibilities. Subsequently, the organisation is also on the look out for an industry-servicing agent that would be based in India. “The person would be a one-point contact for all relevant information on Australia and would work closely with the industry,” added White.

...Elects Steve Waugh As Australian Tourism Ambassador To India Steve Waugh, the Australian cricketer has been appointed as Australian Tourism Ambassador to India to boost awareness about Australia as a holiday destination in this growing tourist market. The minister for small business and tourism, Joe Hockey, officially announced the appointment at the Sydney Cricket Ground. “Australia’s international sports men and women have played an important role in raising the profile of Australia overseas. However, Waugh will now not only be the face of Australian cricket, but the face of Australian tourism in India,”

Speaking at the official launch, Waugh said he was delighted to be working with the Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) to raise the profile of Australia as a holiday destination in India. “I look forward to the opportunity to encourage Indian travellers to enjoy the range of holiday experiences that Australia has to offer. I have visited India on many times, including the cricket tours and I have a strong affinity for the country - so the appointment is particularly important.” In the role of the ATC’s Australian Tourism Ambassador, Waugh will be featured in a range of promotions aimed at luring Indian travellers to holiday in Australia.