Sydney to host World Youth Student Travel Conference

World Youth Student Travel Conference

Sydney has been named the host city for next year's World Youth & Student Travel Conference (WYSTC).

The conference, secured by the city's convention bureau, Business Events Sydney (BESydney) and the local organising committee, will bring the international youth tourism industry right to the door of Australian suppliers and is expected to generate $5.4 million in economic impact for NSW and attract more than 800 delegates from 80 countries who offer products or services to teenagers or travellers in their teens, 20s and early 30s.

Welcoming the successful bid, NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, George Souris stated "this is another vote of confidence in the Harbour City and speaks volumes for the tourist potential of NSW, of which we intend to take full advantage.

"Sydney and NSW have long been popular destinations for youth travel and this event is a fantastic opportunity to shine the spotlight on our State's vibrant youth travel sector, while also gathering industry leaders to collaborate, share ideas and innovate.

"The NSW Government, through Destination NSW, has been proactive in marketing our assets to the youth travel market, which is worth about $157 billion globally each year. We will be interested in exploring the opportunities for growth and education that this event presents."

Business Events Sydney Chief Executive Lyn Lewis-Smith added "besides the economic impact that WYSTC will deliver to NSW, it will also provide opportunities for valuable international networking and professional development."

WYSTC is the only event of its kind globally and is the annual event of WYSE Travel Confederation, which is endorsed by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and UNESCO.

WYSE Travel Confederation Director General Espen Falkenhaug concluded "Sydney's facilities and unique understanding of our event needs made it the leading contender to host the event. Sydney and New South Wales are home to many leaders in our industry, so we were also excited about the opportunities presented by connecting and sharing knowledge in the Harbour City."

The hosting has been welcomed by Tourism Australia Managing Director, Andrew McEvoy and Australian Tourism Export Council Managing Director, Felicia Mariani.

McEvoy stated "we must strengthen the message that Australia is a wonderful destination full of unique experiences, adventure and a place to explore fully and WYSTC will help sell that message and overcome some of the declining engagement among youth travellers with regional Australia."

Mariani welcomed the event bringing the international youth tourism industry to Australia, adding "this conference will give our industry suppliers, and particularly those targeted towards the youth market, great exposure in the international marketplace.

"As the major global youth and student education and travel event, WYSTC will provide our smaller operators with the capacity to engage with distributors they might not normally have access to, particularly for those who can't afford to travel to this annual global conference.

"The event will bring distributors from over 80 countries to Sydney where our suppliers will have front row access to the international businesses that can deliver them the customers they need."

Mariani believes that WYSTC 2013 would be a timely opportunity for the Australian youth sector to propel itself further into the international market, stating "the Australian youth and education travel sector has been struggling, particularly following the GFC, and this will be a great opportunity for our product to re-engage with the international distributors who will help to sell their product as the market strengthens."

McEvoy said that, despite recent challenges, the youth segment remained an important part of Australia's visitor mix, representing just under a third of total international arrivals in 2011.

He explained "while we have seen some growth in the youth sector over the past few years - with young people looking to escape the difficult economic situations, particularly in Europe - these visitors have significantly changed the way they travel and now are more likely to stay in major cities and work rather than travel around Australia engaging with tourism product.

"We must strengthen the message that Australia is a wonderful destination full of unique experiences, adventure and a place to explore fully and WYSTC will help sell that message and overcome some of the declining engagement amongst youth travellers with regional Australia."

In February this year, ATEC submitted a proposal to the Federal Government, calling for changes to the Working Holiday Visa (417) which would encourage more young people into regional Australia.

Mariani added "ATEC wants to see the extension of the 'regional' classification under the visa extended to the tourism industry -allowing WHV holders to extend their visa by 12 months after completing 88 days of work in a regional industry.

"Our analysis shows this policy change has the potential to increase our annual GDP by over $85 million by driving young travellers to work in and experience tourism offerings in regional Australia. These changes will not only help alleviate some of the labour pressures on regional tourism businesses but will promote engagement with regional tourism product."

WYSTC includes pre-scheduled business appointments, seminars and workshops, networking events and trade exhibitions.

The event will take place at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre in September 2013.

For more information go to www.wysetc.org