Cairns wins bid to host major conference
The Liberal-NationalGovernment has today announced that Cairns will play host to one of the world'slargest science conferences, in what is a major win for the region.
Minster for Trade, Tourismand Investment Simon Birmingham said Cairns had won the rights to host the 13thCongress of International Society for Plant Molecular Biology in 2021.
"This will be a hugeeconomic and tourism boost for the Tropical North Queensland region," MinisterBirmingham said.
"Cairns will have the chanceto show-off its unique ecosystems, experiences and attractions whilst at thesame time see millions injected into local businesses and the economy.
"Business eventssuch as this one, are extremely valuable to our economy, with the averagebusiness events visitor spending at least twice as much as a leisure visitor.
"The BidFund Program established by our Liberal-NationalGovernment has now helped Australia win therights to nine business events in just six months, which will add an estimated$90 million to the Australian economy."
Federal Member for Leichardt WarrenEntsch said the week-long event would see more than 1,200 of the world'sleading plant molecular biologists flock to Cairns.
"This is a great opportunity fordelegates to get a taste for all that Tropical North Queensland has to offer,and I this will encourage them to book a return trip down the track," Mr Entschsaid.
"I'd like to acknowledge the work by theCairns Convention Bureau, Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef andTourism and Events Queensland in helping secure this important event."
The $12 million Business Events Bid FundProgram, managed by Tourism Australia is designed to ensure Australia maintainsa competitive edge against other international destinations by offeringfinancial support to new international business event bids.
Last yearbusiness events and incentive travel injected around $4.75 billion into theAustralian economy and brought an extra one million people to our shores."
For more information on business eventsin Australia go to www.businessevents.australia.com