BECA Welcomes Coalition Support of the Industry

BECA Welcomes the Coalition support of the business events industry

BECA said Coalition plans to include tourism within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio and provide consular support for event bids were good news for the business events sector.

The plan was detailed at the launch of the Coalition Tourism Policy by Deputy Opposition Leader and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Julie Bishop and Shadow Tourism Minister Bob Baldwin.

BECA Executive Manager Inge Garofani said that although the industry body was disappointed the Coalition had not supported its call for a National Business Events Fund, it was pleased the Coalition had seen the value of the tourism industry and the potential of business events.

“We are very pleased the Coalition has committed to supporting international business events bids not only through ministerial support but also through consular support in overseas markets,” Ms Garofani said.

“By providing consular support, the Coalition can assist the industry in attracting some of the major international meetings to Australia.”

BECA Chairman Ton van Amerongen said the organisation believed tourism and business events fitted well within the Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.

“By bringing tourism under Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Coalition has recognised that there is far more to the tourism industry than happy holidaymakers,” Mr van Amerongen said.

“Tourism provides great opportunity for the country in terms of investment, trade and exports - and business events are at the core of this opportunity, bringing businesses from across the global together to connect, engage and share.”