| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 19/06/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 53 |
| Copyright: Other |
Business update
Sydney scoops ICCA accolade as top convention city 2000
Report by ALAN MOORE
SYDNEY has been named the top convention city in the world for 2000 by the International Congress and Convention Association – the last time the city received the accolade was in 1997.New South Wales tourism minister Sandra Nori noted that the ICCA’s preliminary results for next year indicated that Sydney is on track to achieve the same status in 2001.
“This is outstanding news – it places Sydney ahead of cities such as London, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Amsterdam and Stockholm,” said Nori.
The ICCA’s findings are based on the number of international conventions won. To date, Sydney has 73 for 2000 and 2001 compared to Melbourne which has 54.
“It means we are attracting more international convention delegates to Australia than any other city,” added Nori. “And it means we hold the largest share of Australia’s business tourism market – £684.6m out of a £2.4bn total.”
Managing Director of Sydney Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) Jon Hutchison said Sydney and New South Wales would attract a total of 9m people to meetings and events this year and next year.
Last year’s Sydney Convention and Delegate Study turned the spotlight on the high-yield nature of this business. It found delegates spent £310 a day, nine times more than the average leisure tourist.
To attract a greater amount of the similarly lucrative incentive travel market, SCVB has launched a guide dedicated to incentive planning.
The Imagine Sydney guide provides incentive organisers with a wealth of ideas for events including theme parties, plus details of restaurants ideal for incentives, luxury accommodation and transport options.
Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre: enjoying the city’s booming business tourism market