Last week the 8th annual ‘North Queensland ATEC – Inbound Up North’ Mega famil tour took place, this year aptly named the Magical Mystery Tour. The program showcased the Port Douglas, Daintree and Cape Tribulation areas where 50 Inbound Tour Operators (ITO’s) from all over Australia, and 50 suppliers from the region, engaged in workshop and networking activities. The event was organized by the local ATEC committee with assistance from local suppliers and was haled as the most successful event yet. Local Tourism Organizations from around the region also had the chance to showcase their various attributes during the ‘Change your Latitude’ treasure hunt held at Rainforest Habitat. ITO’s followed a series of clues to find each destination, each clue designed to educate ITO’s along the way.

Andrew Dineen (Project Manager – Parker Travel Collection & Vice Chairman for the NQ ATEC branch) said about the tour; ‘Inbound Up North has become a permanent fixture on many ITO’s calendars, and following last years successful event, the aim was to take ITO’s to areas they had not seen for a while, and create an environment away from the daily grind to solidify relationships.’ A goal definitely achieved, testament to the fact was the favorable response to the inaugural ‘Gala Awards’ night held at Coconut Beach Resort on the final day of the itinerary.

Next years itinerary has already taken shape and will involve a swag of new regions and experiences for ITO’s, and suppliers alike. When asked to comment on possible inclusions in next years itinerary, a spokesman from the committee declined to comment.

Pictured above: Liz Crowley – General Manager Operations, AAT Kings, Andrew Dineen – Project Manager, Parker Travel Collection & Vice Chair of NQ ATEC Branch, Gabrielle McCarthy - Manager, Operations and Program Services, Grand Circle Travel Australia, Doug Ryan – Executive Officer, PDDT.