- Cost to take partFree
- Areas of export capability5
- To spend your credits90 days
From trade-ready to export-ready
Trade-ready is the foundation your regional tourism organisation helps you build. Export-ready is the depth and quality international buyers and partners expect before they put your experience in front of their customers.Export Ready is the bridge between the two. An assessment against a published export readiness framework shows you exactly where you stand, program credits pay for expert help to close the gap, and a reassessment confirms you have made it.
Your journey through the program
Export Ready is by invitation through your regional tourism organisation. From there, it is four steps.
- Accept your invitationYour regional tourism organisation invites you and your unique registration link arrives by email. Cannot find it? Use Find your invitation and we will send it again.
- Tell us about your businessThe application takes about 20 minutes and asks about your distribution, your products and the markets you are targeting. Save your progress and return any time.
- Receive your assessmentAn Academy assessor reviews your application against the export readiness framework and may ask a clarifying question before finalising it.
- Start working with Academy ExpertsAssessed as Export Ready, with your credits approved by Tourism and Events Queensland, you book your first session. If there are areas to strengthen first, you receive a development pathway and a reassessment date.
What's included
Everything in the program is built to move you closer to international bookings.
An export readiness assessment
A clear read on where you stand across digital, marketing, product, distribution and export-facing operations, against the same published framework every operator is assessed on.
Export enablement credits
Operators assessed as Export Ready receive program credits to spend on sessions with Academy Experts. Your balance and expiry date sit in your account.
The Academy Expert marketplace
Browse approved tourism trade specialists, including market specialists for New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe, North America, China, Japan, South East Asia and India, and book the one who fits.
A team behind you
A single program contact at Tourism Accelerator, your regional tourism organisation on the ground, an orientation session, a welcome pack and a 30-day check-in.
Five areas of export capability
Most trade-ready operators already have some of this in place. Export Ready builds each area to the depth international buyers and partners need, and your credits go to the areas you most need to strengthen.
- 01
Digital capability
Be found, evaluated and booked online by international visitors and trade partners: your website, discoverability in target markets, booking, content and analytics.
- 02
Marketing readiness
Attract and convert your target markets: brand and positioning, market understanding, content for international audiences, trade collateral and partnerships.
- 03
Product suitability
An experience that travels: delivery across language and culture, accessibility, pricing for target markets, differentiation and the ability to scale with trade volume.
- 04
Distribution preparedness
Work with the partners who bring international buyers to you: net pricing, commission, booking systems, contracting, allocations and inbound relationships.
- 05
Export-facing operations
The backbone for delivering consistently to trade: capacity, seasonality, service standards, complaint handling, refund and cancellation policies and continuous improvement.
Who's behind Export Ready
Tourism and Events Queensland
Funds the program and approves the credits operators receive.
Tourism Accelerator
Delivers the program and supports operators day to day.
Regional tourism organisations
Invite operators in their regions and stay their local point of contact throughout.
Academy Experts
Tourism trade specialists, approved for the program marketplace, whom operators book with their credits.
What we ask of you
Export Ready works best as a partnership. Operators in the program:
- Hold Best of Queensland Experiences accreditation throughout the program.
- Apply with accurate information so the assessment reflects your real position.
- Engage with Academy Experts and complete the short feedback form after each session.
- Spend credits within 90 days of issue, before they expire.
- Take part in a reassessment to confirm continued export-ready status.
Frequently asked questions
What is Export Ready?
A Queensland Academy program, funded by Tourism and Events Queensland and delivered by Tourism Accelerator, that helps Queensland tourism businesses become ready to sell to international markets and the travel trade.
What does it cost to take part?
Nothing. The program is funded by Tourism and Events Queensland.
Is it a course?
No. It is a structured program built around an export readiness assessment, program credits and sessions with Academy Experts, rather than a fixed set of lessons.
How do I join?
Export Ready is by invitation only. Operators are invited through their regional tourism organisation and receive a unique link to register. If you have been invited and cannot find your link, use Find your invitation and we will send it to the email address on your invitation.
What happens after I apply?
An assessor reviews your application and may ask a clarifying question. If you are assessed as Export Ready and your credits are approved, you can start booking Academy Experts. If not yet, you receive a development pathway and a reassessment timeline.
What can I spend my credits on?
Sessions with Academy Experts through the program marketplace, on practical work across digital, marketing, product, distribution and export-facing operations.
Do credits expire?
Yes. Credits expire 90 days after they are issued. Your balance and expiry date are shown in your account, so you can plan your sessions before they lapse.
Can I get help with a specific international market?
Yes. Academy Experts include market specialists for New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe, North America, China, Japan, South East Asia and India.
How do I keep my export-ready status?
Through a reassessment. It follows the same process as your original assessment and is your chance to show the progress you have made and confirm your continued status.
What if I am not eligible yet?
Best of Queensland Experiences accreditation and being ready to trade are the entry points. Your regional tourism organisation can help you understand what to work on.