A wide range of Sydney and regional New South Wales tourism products and destinations will be showcased to hundreds of key trade partners and travel trade media next month, as the Australian state launches its 2016 UK and Europe trade mission.

Stuart Ayres, Australia’s Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events, said the Destination NSW initiative will provide a “fantastic opportunity” for overseas agents and product managers to learn more about the new experiences on offer across the south-eastern state.

“In the year ended December 2015, New South Wales welcomed more than 348,000 visitors from the UK who spent US$550m,” Ayres said. “Visitors from Germany spent $153m while visitors from France spent $132m in New South Wales.”

“Through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, the New South Wales government is committed to growing tourism across key international markets and the UK and Europe trade event will provide a wonderful platform for the NSW tourism industry to engage with international tourism buyers.”

The 2016 programme will include information and networking sessions with the aim of increasing overnight visitor expenditure from each market. More than 15 tourism-related businesses will attend the trade mission, including Merlin Entertainments, BridgeClimb Sydney and Let’s Go Surfing.

“The UK and Europe trade mission will feature a comprehensive event programme of activities and informative sessions including the opportunity to meet with suppliers in one-on-one appointment schedules,” said Destination NSW chief executive officer, Sandra Chipchase

The trade mission will be held from April 5-14 across London, Manchester, Glasgow, Dusseldorf, Berlin and Frankfurt and Paris. Click here for more information.