Double meetings and convention award success for Melbourne

Melbourne has shon at the 2013 World Travel Awards, with the city being named Australasia's leading Meetings and Conference Destination while the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) was named Australasia's Leading Meetings and Conference Centre.

Presented at the 2013 World Travel Awards in Dubai, this is the second year running that MCEC has won this prestigious award after facing strong competition from other leading venues from Australia and New Zealand.

Other nominees included Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, SKYCITY Auckland Convention Centre and the Cairns Convention Centre.

Hailed as 'The Oscars of the travel industry' by The Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Awards are recognised worldwide as the ultimate travel accolade.

Established 20 years ago the awards are committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international tourism industry.

Welcoming the award, MCEC Chief Executive Peter King stated "the global acclaim MCEC continues to attract pays tribute to the team work and outstanding commitment of all those involved in supporting the Victorian State Government's investment in the business events sector and boosting economic growth.

"MCEC's vision is to be the world's best events destination leading the way in food, technology and service. The venue sets the stage for several world-leading events which bring visitors in their thousands to Melbourne and MCEC.

"To receive this award two years in a row is a significant achievement and shows that our hard work is being recognised by our customers and visitors from all over the world."

The last 12 months has seen MCEC receive a number of accolades including the Business Tourism trophy at the 2012 RACV Victorian Tourism Awards, 2012 National Meetings and Events Australia Awards Business Development Person of the Year and 2012 Royal Melbourne Fine Food Awards.

Acknowledging Melbourne's recognition as Australasia's leading Meetings and Conference Destination, Victorian Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher expressed ber belief that Melbourne is a deserving recipient of the greatest honour in the travel and tourism industry, stating "Melbourne's infrastructure, intellectual capital, professional services and aesthetics have once again proven superior to those of its Australasian competitors and have enabled the city to be officially recognised as the number one meetings and conference destination in the region.

"The city's ability to secure such events is proven by the fact that in the next year Melbourne will host three of the world's largest and most prestigious health and medical related conferences ... which is an outstanding achievement."

Melbourne Convention Bureau Chief Executive Karen Bolinger added that Melbourne was extremely worthy of the prestigious title of Australasia's Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, adding "the World Travel Awards represent the voice of the international travel and tourism industry and this accolade speaks volumes about the city's capabilities.

Asher added that the majority of the larger events MCB wins for Melbourne are housed at MCEC, adding her congratulations to MCEC for its category win, concluding "we are extremely proud of these awards and the reputation Melbourne has earned as a world-leader in procuring business events."

Melbourne and MCEC will now represent Australasia in a final round of voting to decide who will triumph in World Travel Award's world awards, the ultimate accolade in the travel and tourism industry, in December 2013.

http://www.worldtravelawards.com/