It’s a history making start to the week for the Gold Coast, becoming the first ever Australian city to host the Japan Australia Mission Downunder (JAM Downunder) international travel trade forum.

More than 40 Japanese travel trade buyers have already been arriving on the Gold Coast and will be involved in various activities this afternoon to familiarise themselves with unique Gold Coast holiday experiences.  

JAM Downunder is a Tourism Australia initiative first introduced in 1992 and traditionally held annually at locations throughout Japan.

Hosting JAM Downunder provides the Gold Coast an opportunity to enhance its status as a destination of choice among Japanese travellers.

“Hosting JAM Downunder is a major coup for the City. Among the 40-plus buyers attending from Sapporo, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka are the four major travel organisations that facilitate most Japanese group and individual itineraries,” said Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter

“Gold Coast tourism product also features heavily among more than 50 Australian seller organisations attending from all states of Australia. Pre-scheduled appointments during a day and a half of official workshops at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre will be complemented by further post event familiarisation activities.

“We welcome our Japanese guests who will assist to create more business and investment dollars into the City.”

Collectively the JAM Downunder program allows the Gold Coast to showcase the great diversity of experiences available to Japanese travellers.

To the year ending December 2009 more than 115,000 Japanese travellers visited the Gold Coast and spent more than $89 million in the City, to remain the second largest international source market.

Included in scheduled itineraries for Japanese buyers this week will be theme park visits to Dreamworld, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Australian Outback Spectacular, jetboating, calm water cruises, tours of the Gold Coast Hinterland, dining opportunities at major restaurants and surf lifesaving clubs, plus learn to surf classes.

Delegates will enjoy a similar diversity of accommodation options at the Watermark Hotel & Spa, Couran Cove Island Resort and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.   

Tonight’s official welcome at the Arts Centre Gold Coast will be attended by a who’s who of the Australian tourism industry.