Positive Federal Budget for Business Events as Australia sets its sights on world top 10

The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) has welcomed the Federal Government’s modest increase in funding for Tourism Australia as we set our sights on returning to the world top 10 of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Country Rankings.

Tuesday night’s federal budget confirmed that funding has been secured for Tourism Australia, with an increase of approximately $17 million over the next four years, taking into account positive foreign exchange impacts. But more could be done, noting the Government’s current over-collection of taxes on the tourism industry.

AACB CEO, Andrew Hiebl says that: “In order to realise continued growth in tourism exports across the next decade, stronger investment in the nation’s tourism agency is required. Enhancing Australia’s position as a leading business events destination relies on this.”

The ICCA Country Rankings released earlier this week show that Australia has moved from 16th to 14th with a total of 258 international association meetings held in 2017 (up 47).

“While we have our eye on returning to the top 10, the position last held in 2006, we are in operating in a highly competitive industry with strong regional competition from Japan (7th), China (8th) and the Republic of Korea (13th), said Hiebl.

“However, we are confident that policies such as the $12 million national bid fund announced by Minister Ciobo in March will help Australia secure more lucrative business events, especially when competing against its Asian rivals.”

Australia’s star performers include Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Cairns, all increasing the number of international association meetings held year-on-year, with Brisbane holding on to 3rd position in Australia.

“We are pleased to see the success of these destinations. A core function of the AACB is to facilitate collaboration amongst its members. This allows them to share performance data and best practices to grow the overall business events industry in Australia.”   

While Sydney and Melbourne made it to the top 10 in the Asia Pacific rankings, at 7th and 9th respectively, Australian destinations are still facing strong competition from Singapore, Seoul, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Tokyo, Beijing, Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. Australia ranked 4th in the Asia Pacific Region for 2017, holding against the previous year. 

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Other areas for comment on the 2018-19 federal budget:

• We are disappointed that there was no additional funding for the Export Market Development Grant scheme. As one of Australia’s most successful grant schemes for exporters, it will continue to be oversubscribed, meaning that each year applicants will get less than their full entitlement. The Government should consider adequately funding EMDG, in line with the recommendations in the 2015 review.

• We welcome the $1.3 billion commitment to aid in the Pacific. In conjunction with the additional $10 million Australian Aid: Friendship Grants, the AACB seeks to explore opportunities of a travel bursary to assist delegates from the Indo-Pacific attend international conventions hosted in Australia, supporting the region’s economic opportunities as well as tackle poverty.
• We welcome the further increase to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to boost economic diplomacy. As per our submission to the Beyond 2020 Steering Committee, international business events should be an integral part of Australia’s economic diplomacy agenda.
• We welcome further investment in the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science to extend funding for the current Industry Growth Centres by two years. Growing excellence in industry sectors of competitive strength and strategic priority provides bidding opportunities for Australia.
• We welcome the additional $45 million in grants for regional Australia through the Building Better Regions Fund. Building Better Regions Fund will improve Tourism-related infrastructure and supporting demand-driven projects. Improvements in regional tourism infrastructure will enhance opportunities for pre and post conference touring as well as the delegate experience.

Australian ICCA World City Rankings 2017 (compared against 2016)

This story was featured in: 

• CIM Business Events, Tourism Australia gets 'modest' bump in Federal funding, 10 May 2018
• Micenet, Tourism Austraia gets more money in budget, 10 May 2018
• Spice News, Positive federal budget for business events as Australia sets its sights on World Top 10, 10 May 2018
• Australasian Special Events, Federal Budget could have delivered more for Business Events as Australia sets its sights on world top 10, 10 May 2018

For further information:
Annika Hofsink
Marketing & Communications Executive
P: 1300 692 222
M: 0437 460 809
E: annika.hofsink@aacb.org.au