ওয়াশিংটন বাংলা রেডিও Washington Bangla Radio USA

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Mumbai, Sept 4, 2011 (Washington Bangla Radio) Mumbai will discover the magic of Melbourne, a city that is perfectly tailored towards incentive travel, at the ‘Destination Melbourne Showcase’ this week.

Hosted by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), the Showcase will feature nine of the city’s leading Business Events suppliers, emphasizing why Melbourne is the perfect place to combine business, pleasure and travel.

Ms Edwina San, MCVB’s Director – International Incentives, said the Showcase would reveal a lively, ever-evolving and culturally diverse city.

“We are delighted to be taking the Showcase to India for the first time,” Ms San said.

“The Indian economy continues to grow at a staggering rate, with GDP increasing by almost nine per cent per annum.

“Australia welcomed 144,200 Indian visitors for the year ending April 2011, which represents a 12.4 per cent increase on the previous year.”

Ms San said that in addition to an increase in leisure visitors, Australia was also experiencing a record number of Indian visitors for meetings, incentive travel, conferences and other Business Events.

“Australia welcomed 29,578 Indian visitors for business purposes in the year ending April 2011, a 19 cent per cent increase on the previous year,” she said.

“These figures are expected to grow significantly next year when Melbourne hosts the 2012 Amway India Leadership Seminar, which will bring more than 4,000 delegates to the city.

“The event, which has never been held in Australia, provides an outstanding opportunity to showcase the best of Melbourne and regional Victoria.

“Melbourne has already proven its popularity with Indian business travellers; following a familiarisation in 2010 involving key Indian corporate decision makers, 100 per cent of survey respondents said they felt ‘safe and at home’ in Melbourne, while all respondents indicated that they believe it is a harmonious and multicultural city.”

Ms San added that MCVB is leading the way in reducing its carbon footprint and promoting green initiatives.

“Not only is this Showcase run as a low carbon event, MCVB is fully committed to sustainability, whether it’s through our ‘Event Carbon Calculator’, our low carbon impact incentive travel website or our ‘Green Check List’ in the MelbournePlanner’s Guide,” she said.

“MCVB’s continued success in attracting incentive and corporate business to Melbourne, which was worth AUD $67 million in the last financial year alone, is largely attributable to the city’s outstanding facilities, major events and natural attractions,” Ms San said.

“Melbourne boasts more than 25,500 rooms in the wider tourism region and 9,400 in the Central Business District (CBD).

“The city is home to an abundance of high end hotels, including Australia’s largest hotel, Crown Metropol, as well as the Hilton South Wharf, which adjoins the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

“Melbourne has Australia’s highest concentration of convention facilities located in the city centre, including the MCEC, the world’s first and only ‘Six Star Green Star’ rated convention centre, which comprises a 5,500+ seat plenary hall, 52 meeting rooms and a ground foyer for 8,000 guests.”

Ms San said Melbourne’s reputation for fine dining strongly contributes to its status as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

“Melbourne’s rich, multicultural history has ensured some of the most diverse and delicious food in the world, with more than 3,000 venues located throughout the city, serving around 75 different ethnic cuisines, including an abundance of fine Indian restaurants,” she said.

Ms San said that as Australia’s home of major events, there is always something happening in the city to appeal to everyone’s tastes, whether it’s from a sporting or cultural perspective.

“Melbourne is home to five of the six most significant annual sport events held in Australia – the Boxing Day Cricket Test, the Australian Football League Grand Final, the Spring Racing Carnival, featuring the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open Tennis Championships and the Australian Formula 1TM Grand Prix.

“The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the world’s most iconic cricket stadium, is always a major drawcard for Indian visitors and the opportunity to visit the National Sports Museum and even meet a famous cricketer is not to be missed,” she said.

“On a recent familiarization visit featuring key Indian corporate decision makers, 100 per cent indicated they thoroughly enjoyed their visit to the Ground and their tour of the National Sports Museum.

“There is more to Melbourne than just sport however, with annual festivals such as the Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival further illustrating how when it comes to arts and culture, there is an extensive and diverse range of options available.”

Ms San added that Bollywood, one of the largest centres of film production in the world, has recently taken on a Melbourne flavour.

“Melbourne has recently been used as a location for two Bollywood blockbusters, Chak De India and Salaam Namaste, featuring superstars Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan,” she said.

“Earlier this year, Melbourne was entered into the Guinness Book of Records for the largest ever Bollywood dance, when 2,000 people danced to the chart topping hit Munni Badnaam Hui on the banks of the Yarra River.”

Ms San said the natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road and wildlife at Phillip Island were strong lures for Indian travelers.

“Just an hour’s drive away from the city takes delegates to regional Victoria, where they can enjoy our stunning coastline, spectacular scenery and abundance of wildlife,” she said.

“In 2010, 41 per cent of Indian visitors travelled to the Great Ocean Road, 28 per cent took in the penguin parade at Phillip Island Nature Parks, while Puffing Billy in The Dandenongs and the Yarra Valley were other popular destinations.

“With such a plethora of things to see and do it is little wonder that the number of Indian visitors for Business Events and incentive travel to Melbourne continues to grow so rapidly.”

“Ultimately, Melbourne is a unique and inspiring destination that is perfectly placed to cater to the increasing number ofIndian visitors converging on the city for Business Events and incentive travel.”