Peak events body calls slump “alarming”
SYDNEY – The Business Events Council of Australia (BECA) has called for an immediate injection of $20 million in Federal funding to arrest a sharp decline in the number of conference, exhibitions and incentives visitors coming to Australia.
BECA Chairman Geoff Donaghy said an immediate tax incentive was also needed to boost the domestic market and employer training in such a way that Australian companies would be encouraged to hold their business events at home rather than abroad.
“Latest ABS figures show that visitor arrivals for business events fell by an alarming 23 percent in 2009 over 2008, with convention numbers faring worse than overall tourism visitor numbers,” Donaghy said.
“This continues a disturbing picture that has been growing. Australia has slipped from fourth in 2000 to 14 last year in the International Congress and Convention Association’s world rankings for international conferences.”
Donaghy said BECA’s call for an immediate injection of $20 million had been submitted to Canberra in a pre-Budget request seeking:
– $10 million Business Events Bid Fund to assist organisations bidding to host international business events in Australia,
– $5 million International Delegate Boosting Fund to help boost attendance at business events already scheduled, and
– $5 million Branding and Marketing Fund to enable Tourism Australia to launch a strong overseas campaign to restore Australia’s profile as one of the world’s top 10 business events destinations.
Donaghy added, “Our Asian competitors in particular have seen the true value of business events travel and are outpowering us in marketing dollars.
“For example Singapore responded to the GFC by announcing a $90m tourism ‘boost’ fund aimed largely at building its business events sector.”
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season