NSW Tourism Big Winner In "Visionary" Convention Centre Announcement

The $1.5billion plan to transform Darling Harbour into a tourism and convention mecca has been welcomed by the local tourism and accommodation industry.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has announced the "Destination Sydney" consortium would deliver a new convention complex featuring a new 900-room hotel and 40,000 square metres of convention space.
Tourism Accommodation Australia NSW) director Carol Giuseppi said the plan was exactly what Sydney needed.
"We welcome the visionary nature of the project which moves beyond simply a convention and exhibition centre to a design which encompasses the total visitor experience," she said.
"The new facilities will ensure that Sydney attracts more of the lucrative business events market.
"Up to 10% of activity in Sydney hotels is generated from business events, therefore, a modern, state of the art competitive facility is vital.
"In particular we welcome the planning for additional 3.5 star hotel rooms on the site."
Ms Giuseppi said she was also pleased with plans for the redevelopment of the Haymarket area.
"For too long this has been the neglected part of the city," she said.
"This proposal includes a much-needed creative quarter in that area with a mix of boutiques, special-interest retail and cafes and restaurants.
"This makes it even more important that we improve connectivity between this area and the rest of the CBD via light rail. Together with the revitalisation of Chinatown this area will become magnet for visitors."

(Source: Travmedia 11/12/12)

2011 Canberra Qantas Corporate Travel Show Post Event Report

Metro Hotels recently took part as an exhibitor at the 2011 Canberra Qantas Corporate Travel Show which attracted 864 guests (135 Travel Agents, 263 Travel Coordinators and 466 Frequent Flyers).

Sydney hotels generate a great deal of business from Canberra and the ACT from both the government and corporate sector.

Guests where invited by Qantas and a snapshot of the companies that attended this year's show are listed below:

The Travel Agents session included guests representing over 36 agencies and

groups including ACT World Travel, AIIU Travel, Britain & Europe World

Travel, Capital Travel Manuka, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Civic Travel

Service, Corporate Traveller, Cruiseabout Manuka, Escape Travel Garema, FCm

Travel Solutions, Flight Centre - Belconnen, Capital, Dickson, Mawson,

Queanbeyan, Tuggeranong, Weston & Woden, Harvey World Travel - Belconnen,

Canberra, Weston & Woden, HRG Canberra Team, Jamison Travel Gungahlin,

Jetset Southlands, Maria Slater Travel, Mecca Travel Co Pty Ltd, QBT

Canberra, Queanbeuyan City Travel & Cruise, Reis & James Travel Associates,

STA Belconnen, Travel Makers, Travelscene Canberra City & Manuka.

The Travel Coordinators Morning Tea included guests representing over 85

companies, associations and government departments including ACT Chief

Ministers Department, ACT Executive, ActewAGL - Distribution, ACT Tourism,

Acumenta Pty Ltd, ADFA, Department of Defence, Airservices Australia,

Attorney Generals Department, AusAID, Australian Bureau of Statistics,

Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, Australian Crime Commission,

Australian Federal Police, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Australian

Medical Council, Australian National University, Australian Sports

Commission, Australian Transport Safety Bureau, British High Commission,

Canadian High Commission, CARE Australia, Centrelink, College of Asia &

Pacific, ComSuper, CrimTrac, CSIRO, Defence Housing Australia, Defence

Materiel Organisation, Dept Environment, Sustainability, Water, Population,

Dept of Broadband, Communications, Dept of Climate Change and Energy

Efficiency, Dept of Defence, Dept of Families, Housing, Community Services &

Indigenous Affairs, Dept of Health, Dept of Human Services, Dept of

Infrastructure & Transport, Dept of Innovation, Industry, Science &

Research, Dept of Premier & Cabinet, Dept of the Prime Minister & Cabinet,

Dept of Veterans' Affairs, Dept of the Treasury, Earlybird Conferencing &

Events, Embassy of Belgium, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of Norway, Embassy of

Peru, Embassy of Romania, Embassy of Sweden, Embassy of Switzerland, Embassy

of the Russian Federation, Family Court of Australia, Financial Strategy &

Business Performance, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Haddow Pipeline

Operations Services, High Commission of Canada, Indigenous Business

Australia, International Organization for Migration, International Visits

Team, IP Australia, Murray Darling Basin Authority, National Farmers'

Federation, National Health & Medical Research Council, National Library of

Australia, National Museum of Australia, NATSEM, New Zealand High

Commission, Office of National Assessments, Office of Parliamentary Counsel,

Pakistan High Commission, PHIAC, Procurement & Contract Management Branch,

Royal Danish Embassy, SABRE Pacific, SEWPAC, Sofema Australia, Supportlink,

Tetlow Tigwell Watch Lawyers, The Indigenous Marathon Project, UCELI/UCC,

Universities Australia & University of Canberra.

According to Metro Hotel’s Business Development Manager, Richard Amour, “trade shows are an excellent opportunity to make new business relationships and also to touch base with existing customers.”

Sydney Announced as Host City for Dreamtime 2011

Tourism Australia today announced Sydney has been selected as host city for Dreamtime 2011, Australia’s premier trade marketing activity for international business events buyers.

More than 100 business events decision makers and 20 media from key international markets will be invited to participate in the five day Dreamtime itinerary. The event begins on 13 November and includes a series of educational activities, gala and business networking events before concluding on 18 November 2011.

Up to seven other destinations in Australia will also form part of the itinerary for the international delegates. A request for proposals is being issued to Australian destinations wishing to host educational visits prior to the host city program.

Ms Penny Lion, Head of Business Events Australia, said Sydney’s proposal for Dreamtime 2011 highlighted the city’s creative thinking, contained an innovative communications strategy and support for the event from across the city.

“Dreamtime is Tourism Australia’s highest profile incentive event and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the very best Australia has to offer in one of our most beautiful cities, Sydney,” said Ms Lion.

Incentive events are used by organisations to improve the performance and motivation of their people and are a key strategy for improving productivity, increasing sales, or retaining and recognising high achievers.

“Bringing key incentive buyers to experience Australia is the best way to encourage them to bring their clients here,” said Ms Lion.

“We are absolutely focused on presenting an outstanding Dreamtime – which will showcase exceptional destinations and experiences around Australia and leave buyers with no doubt about the high value Australia delivers,” she said.

Mr Jon Hutchison, Chief Executive Officer, Business Events Sydney, said Sydney was delighted to be appointed host city for Dreamtime 2011.

“Sydney’s Dreamtime program has been designed to inspire buyers to choose Australia for their next international event. I’m proud of the professionalism and quality of Sydney’s business events industry and certain of their support in delivering an amazing Dreamtime experience,” said Mr Hutchison.

(Source: TravMedia.com 2nd April 2011)