As conference and incentive organizers increasingly look for that something special and different, the Whitsundays on Queensland's east coast is enjoying a surge in business visitors to the destination.

Located in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef, the magnificent Whitsundays offers a world class business destination with unlimited options.  74 tropical islands sit off the Whitsunday Coast offering a large array of accommodation, conference and activity opportunities for even the most aspirational of business event planners.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Officer Peter O'Reilly said Business Events in the Whitsundays had grown substantially from 2010 to 2011.

"The Whitsundays saw a 35% increase in domestic business visitors, and the 25% increase trend in international business visitors has also continued," Mr O'Reilly said.

"While the year saw tight economic conditions, on top of the challenging weather conditions that Queensland experienced in early 2011, the interest and visitation to the Whitsundays has grown, which is very pleasing," he said.

"Looking forward, there appears to be a trend of smaller business groups looking for that something special by visiting the Whitsundays, and with the current economic climate we can expect continued increases in domestic travel to the Whitsundays on top of growth from Asia,"

"The wide range of conferencing and accommodation options in the Whitsundays makes it an attractive destination for groups of many sizes, and it is of course a popular business destination for its natural beauty and range of pre and post conferencing, and team building activities."

For more information on hosting a business event in the Whitsundays, go to www.whitsundaysbusinessevents.com.au

SOURCE: Whitsundays Regional Snapshot, year ended September 2011 - National and International Visitor Surveys, Tourism Research Australia

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES, CONTACT:
Danielle Seymour, Marketing Services Manager

Ph: 07 4948 5904 

Email: communications@tourismwhitsundays.com.au

FOR WHITSUNDAYS BUSINESS EVENTS ENQUIRIES, CONTACT:

Tamara Pidcock, Business Events Manager

Ph: 07 4948 5908

Email: business@tourismwhitsundays.com.au