• Business tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors of the Australian tourism industry.
   
• It is the highest yield sector in the tourism industry - international convention delegates spend nine times more (A$801 per day) compared to the average tourist (A$86 per day) and it is similar for the incentive market.
   
• The Business Tourism sector comprising corporate meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions is generally regarded as one of the highest yielding inbound tourism segments because of the high per-delegate spend.
   
• The business tourism sector has substantially grown over recent years. While there is strong international and national competition, business events is projected to provide increased opportunities for the Australian tourism industry over the next ten years, with strong appeal across all key markets.
   
• China and India, two examples of Asia’s emerging markets that are generally viewed as low cost and profitless volume, have lucrative high value segments such as Business Tourism.
   
• Business events such as incentives and corporate meetings are a vital and fast growing ingredient in Australia’s inbound tourism.

According to Tourism Australia research, corporate decision makers from Asia look for the following in an incentive travel program:

• Accessibility - Travel to the destination (airline capacity, flight time, flight cost, visas etc) and access of locations within the destination - for example, internal flights (frequency and cost).
   
• Standard of hotels - Deluxe, luxury essential Infrastructure – high standard of operators in a destination, transport for transfers/ tours e.g. coaches.
   
• Facilities - Good quality, able to handle large groups if applicable.
   
• Food - A concern for a number of Asian countries who seek their local cuisine (or something close to it) or have dietary considerations.
   
• Safety - A country that is politically and physically safe to travel in.
   
• Creativity is key in delivering special experiences, large events in particular.
   
• Similar to the leisure travel market to a degree, security and terrorism threats in certain international markets have worked in Australia’s favour.
   
• The perception of Australia as a “safe” destination is winning a proportion of incentive and corporate meeting business in a number of markets across the Asian region.
   
• Recognition and branding a key factor with the company once destination is confirmed.
   
• Most companies have previously visited the Far East and Europe before selecting Australia.