SYDNEY Independent research conducted by Tourism Australia (TA) has revealed the true value that international incentive visitors bring to the country.
The report, released last month at TA’s incentive travel showcase Dreamtime 2009, showed that 1.6 million visitors participated in an incentive programme in Australia in 2008.
While only 11% of these were international visitors, they contributed 51% (US$625 million) of total spending by incentive travellers during the year.
Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio, said: “Our commitment to this high-yielding sector is demonstrated by creating forums like Dreamtime 2009 and increased investment in Australia’s presence at trade events such as the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) 2010.”
Dreamtime 2009 brought together 80 qualified buyers from 15 of Australia’s key markets.