New South Wales has had one of its most successful business events years ever, hosting 91 events worth almost $220 million to the State’s economy, Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris, announced last week.
“I am particularly buoyed to see that regional areas of NSW are also major beneficiaries of business events last year and I am encouraged by Business Events Sydney (BESydney) reporting that NSW’s regions were enjoying increased opportunities for hosting national and international business delegates.
“The NSW Government is committed to expanding the benefits of business events to the regions by enacting a recommendation of the Visitor Economy Taskforce which will see the development this year of an integrated Regional Conferencing Strategy led by Destination NSW and Business Events Sydney.
“Destinations such as the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Wollongong have traditionally been key markets for incentive and reward trips, but the growing sophistication of regional facilities and the cultivation of specalised knowledge hubs are making these destinations more and more appealing to the conference and association market.
“Whether it’s rural health in Newcastle, organic horticulture at Bathurst or fisheries at Port Stephens, association clients embrace the opportunity to take visiting delegates to the coal face to engage and collaborate at regional research centres and knowledge hubs and undertake technical tours of these specialty areas,” Mr Souris said.
Mr Souris pointed out that last year saw 60,237 delegates come to Sydney for a total of 244,453 delegate days, many visiting regional areas and spending time there…and this year is looking even more promising.
“2013 has only just begun, but already BESydney has secured a strong line-up of events for the city, drawing thousands of visitors that are keen to experience one of the world’s most unforgettable destinations first hand.
“So far, 64 events will attract more than 50,000 business visitors to NSW with an estimated economic impact of $167.1 million to the state.
