Brisbane’s popularity as a meeting and conventions destination continues to grow at a phenomenal rate, with new Tourism Research Australia statistics showing a dramatic increase in business tourism visitors.

According to the National Visitor Survey results (for the year ending September 2007), Brisbane recorded a 17 percent increase in business tourism visitor numbers and a 28 percent increase in business tourism visitor nights.

Brisbane Marketing Executive Chair, Mr Ian Klug, said the growth in business tourism was indicative of Brisbane’s growing reputation as a destination of choice for meeting planners and event organisers.

“There’s a real sense of energy and excitement around Brisbane at the moment,” said Mr Klug.

“The local economy is experiencing dynamic growth, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre has confirmed record numbers of national and international bid wins this year and the Gallery of Modern Art is exclusively hosting Australia’s first Andy Warhol retrospective this summer.

“The city is alive with potential and it’s great to see that meeting planners, event organisers and convention delegates are responding to the depth and variety of Brisbane’s business events offer.”

Queensland Tourism Minister, Ms Desley Boyle, said the growth was also testament to the work being undertaken by the Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and local industry.