AIME 2010 Enhances Hosted Buyer Tours

The Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) has added one of Australia’s premium wine regions to its AIME 2010 Pre Touring Program for hosted buyers.

The Yarra Valley, located just one hour’s drive from Melbourne’s CBD, is a world renowned wine region reminiscent of Tuscany in Italy or the beautiful Burgundy region of France. Also known for its five star resorts and conference facilities, nature based experiences and gourmet food, it is sure to be a one of AIME’s most popular pre-tours.

“Last year we doubled our number of pre tours giving hosted buyers a choice of eleven different options. The program was so successful that we decided to increase it to thirteen pre tours, to offer even greater diversity,” said MCVB’s CEO, Sandra Chipchase. “We’ve added three new regional Victoria destinations - Yarra Valley, Southern Grampians and Mildura – and with such amazing options I think hosted buyers will have a tough time deciding which destination to visit.”

AIME 2010, 18th Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, will be held on 2 - 3 March at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, Australia, with pre touring commencing on Saturday 27 February.

The thirteen pre touring programs are available in half-day, full-day or two-day one night options.

“It’s a program you won’t want to miss,” said Sandra Chipchase. “Whether you are an Australian buyer or an international buyer, you will find pre touring an invaluable source of great ideas for your next conference or incentive.”

The nine two-day excursions are offered on Saturday and Sunday, 27 and 28 February, and buyers will need to arrive in Melbourne by Friday 26 February.

The tours will showcase some of the most beautiful and scenic areas around Melbourne including: the historic gold rush cities of Ballarat and Bendigo; the home of the little penguins, Phillip Island; the spectacular Great Ocean Road; the stunning Mornington Peninsula; and the amazing Geelong waterfront and the Bellarine Peninsula.

New to the program are: Yarra Valley & the Dandenongs; the inland oasis of Mildura, situated beside the Murray River and home to the famous Stephano’s Restaurant; and the spectacular Southern Grampians mountain range, the heart of Victoria’s ‘Western District’.

Three full-day tours on Sunday 28 February give hosted buyers the opportunity to indulge in a Melbourne culinary arts experience, travel back in time to the gold rush days, or take an Australian garden journey learning about traditional plant usage and hearing stories about the Australian landscape.

Buyers with less time can enjoy a half-day Indigenous event on Sunday 28 February. The Koori Heritage Trust Cultural Centre provides a rich cultural experience spanning 60,000 years. It tells the Koorie story by Koorie people.

Pre touring is available exclusively to AIME 2010 hosted buyers and bookings can be made directly in the Hosted Buyers Zone of the AIME website.

Buyers who register and qualify for the Hosted Buyer Program by 31 October receive a 10% discount on the registration fee.

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