TTNQ: Cairns welcomes business events fund
Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) has welcomed the announcement of the Tourism Australia Business Events Bid Fund Program which will see an investment of $12 million across Australia over the next three years.
TTNQ Director of Business and Tourism Events Rosie Douglas said the Program was a vital step forward for Australian destinations to be competitive in the international business events space.
"We are especially pleased that regional areas with world-class business facilities such as Cairns can access the bid funds," she said.
"The ability to attract more large international events to our destination would help the current infrastructure developments underway and support the business case for new developments planned for the city such as the Convention Centre expansion and Global Tourism Hub.
"International events deliver strong economic benefits to our economy and help local industries showcase their expertise to the world.
"In 2016-17 Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef secured 46 corporate and association business events worth $45 million to the Cairns regional economy.
"Almost half of both the secured events and the leads have been international clients wanting to take advantage of increased flight access to Cairns and the competitive Australian dollar.
"International events are seeking nature-based experiences making our destination the perfect fit with our dual World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef and the oldest rainforest in the world."
TTNQ Chief Executive Officer Pip Close said Cairns & Great Barrier Reef particularly appealed to the Asian business events market with direct flights to China, Singapore and Japan ensuring easy access to a destination with a similar time zone.
"We have sophisticated business tourism infrastructure, an international airport close to the city and expertise in key innovation industries," she said.
"Our rich Indigenous culture, unique wildlife and exotic produce further enrich the diverse experiences available for events.
"This is evident from the equally diverse range of business we have secured for the destination which includes Asian incentive programs, international scientific and medical association conventions, and corporate meetings."