The West Australian capital of Perth is an emerging destination for regional groups, thanks to its strategic location, riverside setting, world-class convention centre and active convention bureau, which secured 88 business events last fiscal year that are expected to attract 35,500 delegates.

“Perth is compact,” says Dorothy Hu, national administration manager at AIG Insurance, China. “You can move to a dining venue or shopping centre within 15 minutes, and even travelling to the Swan Valley wine region only takes 25 minutes.”

Jason Leng, senior event executive, Elsevier, says: “The large number of venues, both natural and man-made, to hold functions in Western Australia (WA) make a diverse range of experiences possible and the cuisines on offer from different cultures is pleasing. Its rich history and well-preserved historical sites are a great way to get to know WA.”

Ernest Tan, industry servicing manager – Malaysia, Tourism Australia, says: “Perth offers a variety of experiences to Malaysian incentive groups, from food and wine to natural attractions, coupled with adventure activities ideal for teambuilding. This is complemented by its Aboriginal culture, arts and heritage. WA is also the closest western destination to Malaysia at just five hours by air, with a seasonal climate and a strategic geographical location close to the ocean and natural landscapes.”