The Association of Australian Convention Bureaux (AACB) welcomed, on 10 May, a A$17m (US$12.8m) increase in funding from the Australian federal government for national tourism board Tourism Australia. The association hopes the investment will assist it returning to the world top 10 of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) Country Rankings. AACB CEO, Andrew Hiebl, added that stronger investment in the nation’s tourism agency was required to realise continued growth in tourism exports across the next decade.
“Enhancing Australia’s position as a leading business events destination relies on this,” said Hiebl.
The ICCA Country Rankings 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 $12m national bid fund announced by minister Ciobo in March will help Australia secure more lucrative business events, especially when competing against its Asian rivals,” continued Hiebl. 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. Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Cairns all increased the number of international association meetings held year-on-year, with Brisbane holding on to 3rd position in Australia. 
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