Melbourne has been voted Australasia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination in the 2013 World Travel Awards.
Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said Melbourne is a deserving recipient of the greatest honour in the travel and tourism industry.
The award was accepted by John Butler, Commissioner to the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey for the Victorian Coalition Government, at the awards ceremony in Dubai.
“Melbourne’s infrastructure, intellectual capital, professional services and aesthetics have once again proven superior to those of its Australasian competitors and have enabled the city to be officially recognised as the number one meetings and conference destination in the region,” Ms Asher said.
“The city’s ability to secure such events is proven by the fact that in the next year Melbourne will host three of the world’s largest and most prestigious health and medical related conferences: the 22nd World Diabetes Congress for 12,500 delegates (December 2013); the World Congress of Cardiology for 9,000 delegates (May 2014); and the International AIDS Conference for 14,000 delegates (July 2014), which is an outstanding achievement.”
Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Officer, Karen Bolinger, said that Melbourne was extremely worthy of the prestigious title of Australasia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination.
“The World Travel Awards represent the voice of the international travel and tourism industry and this accolade speaks volumes about the city’s capabilities,” Ms Bolinger said.
Ms Asher added that the majority of the larger events MCB wins for Melbourne are housed at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
“I would also like to congratulate MCEC for being honoured in the World Travel Award in the category of Australasia’s Leading Meetings & Conference Centre,” Ms Asher said.
“We are extremely proud of these awards and the reputation Melbourne has earned as a world-leader in procuring business events.”
