ATC appoints Business Development Manager in the Middle East

The Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) has appointed Chris Anns as its new Business Development Manager for the Middle East.

In this role Chris will be responsible for servicing the travel trade in GCC countries including Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

ATC Executive General Manager Western Hemisphere, Andrew McEvoy said the addition of Chris to the team would help to consolidate the ATC's work in the region over the past 12 months.

"The appointment of a new trade representative in the Middle East, combined with a doubling of our marketing investment for 2004/2005, highlights the importance of the region as an emerging tourism source market for Australia," Mr McEvoy said.

"One of the key challenges we face in the region is broadening the knowledge and understanding of destination Australia amongst the travel trade.

"As the Business Development Manager, Chris will be responsible for working with the travel trade, particularly travel agents, to increase their knowledge of the range of experiences an Australian holiday offers.

"With many years of experience in airline, hospitality and tourism management in both the Middle East and Australia - Chris will play a vital role in helping to boost Australia's profile with our trade partners in the region. 

"Chris will also drive the roll out of the Aussie Specialist Training Program for travel agents in the Gulf region later this year. This program aims to better equip travel agents, who specialise in selling Australian holidays, to give them increased confidence in selling the destination to their clients."

The Aussie Specialist Program provides agents with training, resources and knowledge they need to sell Australia with confidence and provides access to consumer leads generated by ATC marketing activities.

Australia has seen strong growth in tourist arrivals from the Middle East in recent months, with visitor numbers growing by eight per cent during the March 2004 quarter, compared to the same period of 2003. 

A number of recent developments will assist in stimulating further tourism growth from the region this year. These include increased air services to different destinations within Australia and new arrangements for applying for an Australian visa from the Gulf States.

Mr McEvoy said the ATC's activities in the Middle East would continue to focus on two key segments, extended Arab Families and expatriates, in markets including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

"A key objective in the Middle East travel markets will be to create a stronger brand presence for Australia and build intent to travel among the target segments in the short and long term."

Chris Anns will be based in Dubai.