The Morrison Government is taking action to provide additional support for Australia's business events industry.
The Government today announced it would provide:
- an additional $3 million for its successful Business Events Bid Fund Program to attract international events to Australia and that the program would be extended by 12 months.
- an additional $1 million towards its domestic-focussed Business Events Boost Program, which provides support to industry-led business events marketing and distribution projects.
Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the business events sector contributed $36 billion to the Australian economy before COVID-19.
"Since its launch in 2018, the Business Events Bid Fund Program has helped attract 40 international events to Australia worth approximately $411 million in economic value," Mr Tehan said.
"Because Australia's economic and health response to COVID-19 has been among the best in the world, Australia is well placed to attract more international events when travel resumes. As part of our plan we will also showcase Australian innovation to event planners in North America, United Kingdom and Europe to secure more international events.
"Our additional support to attract international business events to Australia complements our $50 million Business Events Grants Program that supports local businesses to attend local business events, conventions, trade shows and conferences and the $1.2 billion aviation and tourism support package designed to turbocharge domestic tourism spending.
"The people who attend business events also book hotel rooms, they eat at restaurants, buy coffees, visit shops and stay to enjoy our tourist attractions, so this support is great news for businesses and communities."
