A HYBRID buyer-supplier forum is being beamed from Australia to event and incentive decision makers across Asia with updates on infrastructure and other developments that continued despite the pandemic slowdown.
The Business Events Australia Showcase provided 110 qualified incentive planners and corporate decision makers from Greater China, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore with the opportunity to virtually meet and do businesses with 51 of Australia’s top industry sellers.
Robin Mack, Tourism Australia’s executive general manager for commercial and business events, said showcase formed part of a wider recovery strategy focused on securing business and “welcoming business events visitors back to Australia as quickly as possible”.
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The event included one-on-one virtual appointments and group briefings for buyers to learn about new developments and infrastructure, while broadening their network of Australian industry contacts.
Suppliers attending the event ranged from destinations marketers, hotel representatives and venue operators.
Appointments continue today and end tomorrow with buyers from with India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore joining.
Feedback from the Greater China market showed buyers were confident that Australia’s business events offering continued to expand. There is also pent-up demand for Australia with the destination perceived as a safe.
Some buyers indicated an interest in sending groups to Australia in the second half of 2023. Boom sectors such as China’s online retail and IoT also offered opportunity but incentive groups may be smaller or divided into phased arrivals.
“Each Australian region has exciting new developments to share with customers,” said Mack.
“Our infrastructure boom has continued during the past two years ,and we have welcomed a wealth of new accommodation, venues and experiences that will inspire a world-class incentive program.
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“Australia has an outstanding record of hosting incentive events with premium dining, luxury accommodation and breathtaking landscapes. Our industry has successfully been delivering Covid-safe events throughout the pandemic and with Australia officially open to international visitors, we are excited to showcase our offering to the world.”
Business events was one of the highest yielding sectors of Australia’s visitor economy prior to Covid-19, with Asia being one of Australia’s most important markets for incentive travel.
For the year ending December 2019, Australia attracted 314,000 delegates from Asia who contributed A$1.45 billion in direct expenditure, according to Tourism Australia figures.
Main picture: Some of the 12 Apostles rock formations seen along the Great Ocean Road route in Victoria
