Melbourne’s reign continues at World Travel Awards

City skyscrapers with the sun setting behind
Edited by Travel Weekly


Melbourne’s standing as a global powerhouse for business events has once again been solidified as the city secured the esteemed title of “Oceania’s Leading Meetings and Conference Destination 2023″ for an impressive ninth time. The announcement was made last night at the World Travel Awards Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony 2023, held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

The honour underscores Melbourne’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation in hosting world-class business events. The Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) has played a pivotal role in driving the city’s international recognition, consistently showcasing Melbourne’s capacity to cater to world leading conferences and incentive groups.

MCB Chief Executive Julia Swanson, expressed her pride in Melbourne’s consistent triumphs on the global stage.

“This award demonstrates our city’s ongoing commitment and excellence in the business events sector. The appeal of Melbourne as a top-tier business events hub is a direct result of our city’s exceptional fusion of world-class infrastructure, vibrant cultural scene, accessibility, and robust industry expertise.

“Our city’s distinctive offerings not only captivate attendees, but also provide organisers with an unmatched platform to curate impactful and unforgettable events. This dynamic environment empowers conference organisers to craft engaging content and attract speakers from our pool of local researchers and academics, thereby driving delegate attendance,” Swanson said.

Earlier in the year, Melbourne hosted the Rotary International Convention, welcoming 14,000 Rotary members and participants from across 120 countries and regions worldwide.

With 172 international and national business events worth more than $762 million confirmed from now until 2028, including the likes of Lions Club International Convention, projected to attract 13,000 delegates from across the globe; the International Congress of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (UBMB2024) and 19th World Congress on Menopause also in 2024; these conventions stand as prime opportunities for Melbourne to showcase its strengths as a global convention and knowledge hub.

“As the torchbearer of innovation and excellence, Melbourne continues to raise the bar for business event experiences. The accolade of being named Oceania’s top Meetings and Conference Destination for the ninth time serves as a reminder of the city’s enduring dedication to delivering exceptional conferences that leave a lasting imprint on participants,” Swanson added.

The World Travel Awards have been acknowledging and celebrating excellence across all sectors of the tourism industry for 30 years. The awards are selected via votes cast by travel professionals and high-end tourism consumers.

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