Sydney to Host Dreamtime 2009 in October

Sydney has been selected as the host city for the incentive travel trade event, Dreamtime, which aims to generate future business for Australia’s high yielding business events sector.

The seven day event, organised by Tourism Australia, is expected to attract around 100 business events decision makers (buyers) and 20 international media from Australia’s key markets of Asia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

“The climate for the business events sector will be tough in 2009, however events such as Dreamtime are part of Australia’s long term commitment to build the country’s share of the global business events market,” said Tourism Australia’s Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio.

Dreamtime provides influential decision makers for high yielding corporate meeting and incentive businesses with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with tourism businesses and experience Australia first-hand at one event.

The seven day Dreamtime 2009 program will see international buyers and media spend five days in the host city, Sydney, and two days at a second destination within Australia (either Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, the Northern Territory, or Sunshine Coast/Brisbane) for educational visits.

Mr Jon Hutchison AM, Chief Executive Officer of Business Events Sydney, said he was delighted that his organisation had been successful in securing the rights to host Dreamtime this year.

“Together with our partners we are eager to host this prestigious event and are confident that Sydney will exceed expectations of buyers and sellers,” Mr Hutchison said. “The innovative program will deliver experiences that are new and dynamic covering culture, arts, entertainment, the environment and indigenous culture.”

Dreamtime was last staged on the Gold Coast in 2006. It was first held in 1992 and has previously been held in Sydney, Alice Springs, and Uluru, with official airline partner, Qantas.

Ms DiMascio said the event had been ‘refashioned’ this year to reflect the changing focus in the business events sector.

“This year we are taking some big steps to refashion Dreamtime to ensure that it continues to be in line with the changing needs of our business events customers worldwide,” Ms DiMascio said. “In addition to the host city program, Dreamtime will also showcase other parts of the country through a new educational destination program.”

During the year end 31 October 2008, Australia received 193,100 visitors for conventions or conferences, an increase of 5% year-on-year. While the market is relatively small in terms of visitor numbers, the average spend per conference / convention visitor is around three times the average per visitor spend of all visitors to Australia.

Dreamtime 2009 is scheduled to be held in October. The final dates are yet to be confirmed.

See other recent news regarding: Travel News Asia, Dreamtime, Sydney, Australia, Travel Trade Shows