New South Wales’ capital city, Sydney has been selected to host Australia’s biggest tourism event next year, a decision that will help the local industry capitalise on the event’s business opportunities, according to Destination NSW chief executive Sandra Chipchase.

Announced this morning, it will the second time in three years Sydney will host the event that is expected to run from 26 April to 2 May in 2013.

"We are delighted to host the event in Sydney again next year and the Destination NSW team has already started preparations for the event to ensure international buyers and the world’s leading travel trade media can discover new and exciting experiences in Sydney and NSW,” Ms Chipchase said.

“ATE is the largest international travel trade show of its kind in the southern hemisphere and we will be working hard to make the Sydney event in 2013 the best yet, casting a global spotlight on Sydney and NSW yet again.”