The July to December quarter saw business event opportunities for the Whitsundays region sharply rise, with the sector strengthened by improved air access, according to Whitsundays Business Events.
The convention bureau's half-yearly report revealed that its has distributed leads worth more than $5 million for events to take place both this year and next.
“The amount of event opportunities that the Bureau is working on has doubled in the current financial year,” manager Leanne Zeid said.
“This can be attributed to significant developments happening within our region, both within island resorts and the Whitsunday Coast and the increase in flight access to our region.”
The last six months has seen the launch of new direct services between Melbourne and Hamilton Island, Sydney and Whitsunday Coast (Proserpine) and the reintroduction of Qantas services between Sydney and Hamilton Island.
Developments in the region include The Palm House, a new multi-purpose event centre in Airlie Beach, which opens in July, and the official opening of One&Only Hayman Island also in July.
“Many other exciting products and developments are currently underway and I would like to invite all business event organisers to join us for a destination update and networking function as part of the upcoming Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow,” Zeid said.
The evening functions will take place in Melbourne on March 31, Sydney on April 2 and Brisbane on April 3.
