New Centre on track as Melbourne hits its straps
- MICEBTN archive stories issue 27
- Friday, 09 February 2007
Sandra Chipchase, chief executive of the Melbourne Convention and Visitors Bureau (MCVB), has played down fears that the corporate and government sectors in Europe and the United States will cut back on long haul travel in response to increasing concerns about global warming, writes Ian Jarrett.
Long haul travel is coming under intense scrutiny in the face of fresh evidence that it has a detrimental impact on the environment.
The impact of low-cost air travel on carbon emission levels has high priority in Europe, where Germany — a world leader in environmental politics — will take over the EU presidency this year. Emission trading schemes are on the agenda with airlines flying within and into the EU likely to be targeted.
While aviation currently contributes less than two percent of global greenhouse gases, researchers claim that by 2050, if current travel trends continue, aviation emissions will contribute about five per cent to global warming.
Chipchase said that the response of the business events industry to environmental concerns was a key issue. It was no longer good enough to pay lip service to saving the planet by relying on initiatives like the use of recycled paper, she said.
“The deciding factor (on long haul travel to events) for some groups from some countries will be an environmental issue, but those from other destinations will go regardless. Soon we will have a six-star rated convention centre in Melbourne and I see that as a huge advantage.”
The new Melbourne Convention Centre will be located adjacent to the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and ready by the end of 2008. The A$1 billion dollar development will seat 5000 delegates and include a five star Hilton Hotel, an office and residential tower, a riverfront promenade and retail shops.
Doubtless, the new Centre will fuel further environmental claims. Tourism expert Professor Michael Hall, from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, has suggested that growing concerns about the environment will persuade people to cut back on flights. He said the growth in cheap flights was coming at a cost to the environment and there should be greater regulation of tourism to include carbon trading and environmental departure taxes.
Britain has been offsetting greenhouse gases caused by government and ministerial air travel for the last 10 months and will spend about GBP3 million to buy 255,000 carbon credits for travel in 2007-2008.
In Australia, government departments have begun to cut back on their travel and in some cases are using video conferencing in preference to travel.
Chipchase said AIME gave Melbourne an opportunity to showcase the “phenomenal” changes taking place in the city. “I want to make a statement about Melbourne which will soon have the best business events infrastructure in Australia.
Chipchase said the social events at AIME — they will showcase Federation Square and Docklands — “will reinforce that things are changing here” and gave Melbourne an opportunity to pursue its goal of being the number one MICE destination in the region.
MCVB is also working to develop more Aboriginal product into its delegate programs. This will include an aboriginal 'Welcome to Australia' ceremony at every international conference and award dinner.
“Aboriginal culture is under-utilised and under-respected in some areas and we are working with the Koori Heritage Trust on programs that will include bush tucker, jewellery and Aboriginal-guided walks around the city.
“Visitors have expectations of engaging in Aboriginal culture in the Northern Territory, Queensland and some parts of Western Australia but it’s hard to get a similar experience in an urban centre. We will add this indigenous experience to the products we offer in Melbourne.”
