11 February 2009

Sydney to host 'Dreamtime 2009'

Tourism Australia has announced Sydney will be the host destination for the Dreamtime event.

The premier incentive travel event attracts worldwide attention, with 20 media representatives from Australia’s key markets of Asia, Europe, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and over 100 buyers are expected to attend.

Tourism Australia’s Head of Business Events Australia, Joyce DiMascio said Australia's reputation as a world-class destination for events will have the opportunity to prove its worth this year in Sydney.

"Many businesses have long recognised the benefits in rewarding and motivating staff by hosting their business events in Australia because we offer outstanding experiences in remarkable locations.

"The climate for the business events sector will be tough in 2009, however events such as Dreamtime are part of Australia’s long term commitment to build the country’s share of the global business events market," Ms DiMascio said.

Organisers will be using the event to showcase Australia's commitment to sustainable events for businesses, with Sydney's winning bid being a first-hand experience of the quality of low-carbon events that Australians can produce.

Mr Jon Hutchison, chief executive officer of business events Sydney, said he is confident business buyers and sellers would be impressed with the event, and that Australia's business travel industry would reap the economic benefits.

Australia receives over 190,000 travellers for conferences and conventions annually, who each bring with them three times as much spending per visitor than regular tourists.

Those wishing to travel to Australia for conferences need a visa to do so, unless they are New Zealand nationals.  Most travellers can apply for the Australian ETA business visa, which allows nationals from participating countries to visit Australia for business reasons for up to three months.  ETA visas – which are primarily used as an Australian holiday visa – are short-term, instantaneous electronic visas that are attached to one's passport. All ETA visa applicants need to pass character and health requirements before the ETA visa is approved, and be able to prove that they will leave before the visa has expired.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with emigrating to Australia.