AIME Announces New Pre Touring Itineraries for 2013

05 November 2012: From the world-famous Twelve Apostles to the luxurious pampering houses in Daylesford, Hosted Buyers attending the Asia-Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) next February will be spoiled for choice on the ever-popular pre touring program, which includes five new additions announced today.

Designed to showcase regional Victoria’s premier business events destinations and facilities to event planners prior to their attendance at AIME, Hosted Buyers can select from 15 different pre tour programs in total in 2013, with new tours as follows:

Daylesford and Macedon Ranges
Victoria’s home of indulgence is an easy 90-minute drive from Melbourne and boasts the highest concentration of mineral springs in Australia. This pre tour will showcase the region’s premier conference facilities which double as spa retreats.

Mildura
The striking contrast of cosmopolitan Mildura from the surrounding landscape of desert and lush farmland make it a unique conference destination. Hosted Buyers will explore the region’s historic venues which enjoy close proximity to the mighty Murray River.

Gippsland
Gippsland offers unspoilt beaches and majestic mountain ranges all within range of state-of-the-art performing arts centres and large-scale conference facilities. On this pre tour, Hosted Buyers will have the opportunity to test their surfing skills before visiting venues which boast spectacular coastal views.

Wangaratta
Known as one of Victoria’s most progressive, provincial centres, Wangaratta is only a stone’s throw away from the Victorian Alps and has a range of new conference and business events facilities. Hosted Buyers will discover them all with this pre tour that combines wine and fresh produce tasting with a leisurely bike ride.

Great Ocean Road
Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road is famous for its breathtaking ocean views and stunning beaches, making it a premier destination for conferences and business events. This pre tour allows time for outdoor yoga and rainforest walks, finishing with a delicious lunch at one of the region’s wineries.

These new options will join existing tours including Phillip Island, Mornington Peninsula, Bendigo, Ballarat and Melbourne, and will take place between Friday, 22 to Sunday, 24 February, 2013.

Karen Bolinger, Chief Executive Officer of the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau, said pre tours provide the perfect opportunity to experience Melbourne and regional Victoria first-hand:

“We appreciate that many of our buyers travel to Melbourne for AIME from overseas and interstate, so we endeavour to provide them with unforgettable experiences and most importantly, valuable opportunities, showcasing not only Melbourne but regional Victoria’s business events capabilities within a 90 minute radius of the city,” Ms Bolinger said.

“We have no doubt the pre tour program for 2013 will showcase why the state of Victoria should be at the top of the destination list when booking conventions, meetings and incentive trips.”

For more information on pre tours visit http://www.aime.com.au/en/hosted-buyers/Pre-Touring/ and for general information about attending AIME 2013 visit www.aime.com.au

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For media enquiries contact: 
Sarah-Louise Robinson / Naomi Joyce
+61 (0) 2 9028 5182 / 3592 – aime@gtitourism.com.au

About AIME
The Asia-Pacific Meetings & Incentives Expo (AIME) is owned by the Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB), a not-for-profit organisation that markets Melbourne and Victoria nationally and internationally as a premier business events destination. AIME brings associations and event planners from around the world to Melbourne annually, for a two-day networking event where the best meetings and incentives destinations and products are showcased to the industry.

The show is managed by Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. RTE successfully manages 13 events around the world which in 2011 were the catalyst for £2,807 million worth of travel and tourism business deals.  RTE is a business unit of Reed Exhibitions.