The Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) 2013 pre-touring program has again proven successful with 100% of survey respondents indicating they either plan to (83%) or may (17%) bring business to Melbourne/regional Victoria in the future.
Around 180 Hosted Buyers and media representing 25 countries in addition to Australia participated in one of 13 pre-touring options throughout the state from 23-24 February 2013 just prior to AIME, with 93% completing surveys.
The survey results also revealed extremely high levels of satisfaction across the board, with 96% satisfied with the accommodation and regional tour hosts, 94% with the transfers, 88% with the choice of pre-tours available and 87% with site inspections and meals.
Feedback from the surveys included statements such as: “I have seen firsthand the different and varied experiences I could offer delegates that they could not find anywhere else,” and “There is so much to see beyond Melbourne, which is such a bonus for any event planner and their delegates”.
Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB), Karen Bolinger, said it was extremely pleasing to see such positive results.
“Each year we work closely with our metropolitan and regional partners to come up with a pre-touring program that we believe will not only be enjoyable for our delegates, but will also encourage them to choose Victoria for their next business event,” Ms Bolinger said.
“These results show that pre-touring is still very relevant to the AIME itinerary and more importantly, is generating business for the state, proven by the fact that 60% of respondents said they will definitely bring business to Melbourne/regional Victoria in the future as a result of the pre-touring program.
“As we know in this industry, seeing and experiencing a product personally is a much better sales proposition, especially in the case of a destination like Melbourne and regional Victoria, which offer stunning, natural attractions and premier infrastructure ideal for business events.
“I would like to thank our members for participating in these familiarisations and commend them for all their efforts in pulling together these itineraries, which have certainly paid off.”
Hosted Buyers that took part included professional conference organisers (20%), travel agents (18%), incentive travel agents (11%), corporations (10%) and more.
The pre-tour options included Ballarat; Great Ocean Road; Daylesford and Macedon Ranges; Evolving Success-Coffee Tour; Melbourne Golden Mile Walk; Mildura; Mornington Peninsula; Phillip Island; Wangaratta; and Yarra Valley and The Dandenong Ranges.
