Queensland tourism industry moves to capture growing business conference market

Conference and business-based events are expected to inject $50 million in to the state’s tourism coffers this year as Queensland moves to capture a bigger slice of the growing market.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones says 16 government-supported events will bring 22.000 delegates to Queensland. Picture: Jerad Williams

BUSINESS is booming for Queensland tourism — literally.

Conference and business-based events are expected to inject $50 million in to the state’s tourism coffers this year as Queensland moves to capture a bigger slice of the growing market.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the State Government was supporting 16 events this year, bringing 22,000 delegates to Queensland — up from 11 events and 9000 delegates just two years ago.

“Business events are vital to Queensland’s economy because they bring world-leading experts to our state who become high-value travellers,” she said.

“We have some of the best conference facilities in the world in one of the most sought-after tourism destinations on the planet — it makes sense for us to focus on growing this sector.”

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Next month more than 6000 Amway employees from China will land in Cairns for the company’s annual incentive program, where delegates will experience the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef and explore the world’s oldest living rainforest.

The international SportAccord, where the world’s biggest sporting bodies meet to negotiate hosting rights for future events, will take place on the Gold Coast in May, attracting more than 1500 delegates from up to 100 countries.

Brisbane will also host a series of international business events in 2019 highlighted by the inaugural QODE business-to-business initiative.