Tourism Australia has confirmed its signature incentive showcase, Dreamtime, will be held in Perth, Western Australia for the first time.

Dreamtime is designed to promote Australia as a world-class incentive destination, giving the Australian industry the opportunity to meet with qualified buyers from key markets including Greater China, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, New Zealand, USA and the UK.

Tourism Australia managing director John O’Sullivan says hosting Dreamtime 2019 in Perth is an exciting development for the city.

“With new hotel infrastructure developments, new international non-stop flights from London and a growing incentive offering, Perth is continuing to raise its profile internationally,” he says.

Perth Convention Bureau (PCB) chairman Kevin Skipworth says PCB industry members will benefit enormously from the event,

“Dreamtime is the preeminent showcase event to promote our destination to conference and incentive groups around the world,” he says.

“Tourism Australia has a wonderful heritage in managing this premium event.”

In 2017, Dreamtime generated more than 105 business leads, worth more than $100 million and gained media reach of over 207 million people across the globe.

“We know there’s nothing like experiencing Australia first-hand to drive business and Dreamtime has proven this time and again, providing outstanding value to the Australian business events industry,” says O’Sullivan.

“Dreamtime is unquestionably the perfect platform to showcase our country’s outstanding products and experiences whilst also demonstrating our industry’s event delivery capabilities to buyers and media from around the world.”

City of Perth chair commissioner Eric Lumsden welcomed the news, saying the opportunity to host Dreamtime is major coup for Perth.

“An unprecedented rate of change and expansion has recently transformed Perth and being selected to host Dreamtime 2019 reinforces Perth’s positioning as a global player,” he says.

Dreamtime 2019 will be held on 2-3 December, with international buyers and media then participating in educational visits to other Australian destinations.