The Aboriginals lived on this continent for more than 50,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. Six colonies were created in the late 18th and 19th centuries; they federated and became the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.A multicultural country, rich in islands and reefs, with approximately 50,000 km of coastline,10,000 beaches, more than 4,000 species of fish, 550 national parks, 15World Heritage-listed wonders, rugged wilderness, rainforest and desert outback, this country has a solid tourism infrastructure, offers a diverse range of experiences and is a perfect destination to host your next meeting and incentive trip.

General information -AUSTRALIA 

AREA 7,682,300 km²

POPULATION 21,720,242

CAPITAL CITY Canberra

CURRENCY Australian dollar (AUD)

LANGUAGES English

TIME ZONES + 10:00 (GMT/UTC)

COUNTRY PHONE CODE +61

ELECTRICITY 220 V (AUS)

TIPPING Tipping in Australia is not compulsory but a small gratuity for a fine meal or service is always appreciated.

BANKS OPENING HOURS Monday to Thursday from 09:30 am to 04:00 pm. Friday from 09:30 am to 5:00 pm.

HEALTH Full medical facilities and medicines are available. Please check with your doctor for any necessary vaccinations.

NATIONAL PUBLIC HOLIDAYS New Years Day: 01.01.2012, Australian Day: 26.01.2012, Good Friday: 06.04.2012, Easter Monday: 09.04.2012, Anzac Day: 25.04.2012, Queen's Birthday: 11.06.2012, Christmas Day: 25.12.2012, Boxing Day: 26.12.2012

CLIMATE Australia is a large country and its weather varies significantly in different parts of the continent. In the north, there are tropical regions with warm temperatures and high humidity as well as distinct dry and wet seasons while in the centre of the country are dry and desert regions with high daytime temperatures. In the south are temperate regions with moderate rainfall and average daytime temperatures ranging from 13° C in winter to 28° C in summer.

CONTACT Australian Tours Management, Level 1, 28 Victoria Street, Carlton 3053, Victoria, Australia

 

 

Eng Waa Teh

Managing Director, who oversees major client relationships with a special emphasis on the meetings and incentives market.

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE A TRAVEL PROFESSSIONAL WHO IS PLANNING A MEETING IN YOUR DESTINATION?

Australia is a country of much variety and has a different level of infrastructure supporting the meetings and incentives industry. Do the homework on the most relevant city of choice. Verify flight accessibility and capacity, hotel accommodation and meeting venue pricing and capacity, ensure local experience and a knowledgeable team is in place to deliver the service.

 

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS IN YOUR COUNTRY?

Sydney with its spectacular harbour views, Gold Coast offers pristine beaches, Melbourne has great food and wine and Cairns is noted for the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef. Not to forget Uluru in Ayers Rock.

 

 

WHY WOULD YOU RECOMMEND YOUR DESTINATION FOR MEETINGS AND INCENTIVES?

Australia has a proven reputation internationally as a country that stages large-scale business, cultural and sports events. Australia is attractive to a wide range of clientele as it caters to a diverse range of expectations with its unique natural attributes and welcoming people.

 

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION?

This is an ancient land with modern cities and a welcoming culture. We oSer outstanding experiences in remarkable locations for businesses to meet and to reward. From outback desert, world heritage-listed wilderness, to pristine islands and reef, you can dive, snorkel, surf, trek, hike. You can combine business, culture and fresh air or nature and adventure.

 

HOW DO YOU SELECT PREFERRED SUPPLIERS OR SERVICE PROVIDERS?

Our yard stick is to work with suppliers who have an in-depth understanding of the meetings and incentives business and who are user friendly when delivering services. The human factor is just as important as receiving the best price.

 

WHICH MARKET IS YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE MARKET?

The Asia Pacific region.

 

HOW WOULD YOU RATE THE COST OF HOLDING A MEETING IN YOUR DESTINATION IN COMPARISON TO OTHERS?

Australian cities are amongst the most cost competitive in the Asia Pacific region. We have the advantage of being in the southern hemisphere, which makes our low season the high season in the northern hemisphere. This is of advantage for meetings and incentives planners, as they can buy at good rates when their corporate clients wish to travel.

 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN OPERATIONAL IN YOUR DESTINATION?

26 years as a DMC and 20 years in the meetings industry.