Margaret River hosted the MasterCard World Wine & Travel Summit & Exhibition last week and the event has been proclaimed a great success.

 

Delegates and speakers travelled to Western Australias southwest from 12 of the worlds

primary wine and wine tourism countries to be enlightened with the latest market intelligence from the multi-billion dollar global industries.

 

The event was staged 13^th – 17^th November at the renowned Leeuwin Estate winery, the Margaret River Curtin University Campus and several other wineries in the region.

 

The Summit was an initiative of the Wine Travel Group (WTG), and was attended by nearly 150 delegates over the five days.

 

The event also gave Margaret River a unique opportunity to showcase its many natural and man-made attractions including premium wineries, fine restaurants and world-class arts and crafts.

 

A distinguished array of speakers and delegates were suitably impressed with the regional

effort, which was officially opened last Monday by the Hon. Paul Omedei MLA, State Leader of the Opposition.

 

 

"The event was an outstanding example of how successful and informative such a

congress can be," said WTG Travel Director, Mr John Bradbury.

 

"Margaret River excelled by delivering a unique experience for delegates not just from

Australia, but around the world.  It effectively conveyed the success stories and great

potential of international wine tourism, and what can be achieved by working together.

 

“It also fulfilled its theme of Vive Le Difference, highlighting the wonderful points of difference to be found around the world in tourism and wine regions.

 

"The Summit showed delegates just how essential it is for the wine and tourism regions of the world to maintain their singular character and authenticity, and how to provide visitors with a total experience of what each region can offer.

 

"We are very happy with the outcome and positive feedback from delegates and presenters," he said.

 

Delegates and speakers gathered for conferencing each day in Leeuwin Estate’s extensive art gallery, a converted barrel room.

 

The WTG was supported in the organisation and running of the event by Curtin

University, the South West Development Commission, Great Southern Development Commission, Margaret River Wine Industry Association, Austrade, Augusta-Margaret River Tourism Association, Australia’s South West and other regional bodies.

 

Key Summit theme included consumer spending in Asia; wine, women and travel; premium wines, premiers regions; luxury travel in the Asia Pacific region, luxury cruising for wine and food; maintaining wine value through pricing; the evolution of wine, food and travel; and a number of academic papers including three on the dynamic Chinese marketplace.

 

 

Western Australia’s largest and most ambitious wine and food tourism marketing project was also officially launched at the event.

 

The ground-breaking Innovative Partnerships Project: Wine, Food & Tourism Regions of Western Australia is the most comprehensive WA wine regions marketing initiative of its kind undertaken in the State.

 

The Project, an Australia’s South West Inc. administered initiative, was launched  by Senator Dr. Alan Eggleston. The undertaking came about after peak South West tourism marketing body Australia’s South West Inc. was awarded a $390,000 grant under the Australian Government’s Australian Tourism Development Program to implement the project.

 

 

 

"The Summit has been a great platform for international ideas," said Event Manager Ms Pip Heaford. "What came out of the event was a blue print for wine and wine tourism marketing in every region of the world.

 

“The Group set out to offer delegates new and innovative ways to sell wine and tourism, which are both incredibly competitive global industries.

 

“I think this was achieved very effectively through subject matter presented by the expert presenters, as well as the networking carried out throughout the event,” he said.

 

Delegates and speakers were also spoiled with an exciting five-day social agenda that included an international wine and food tasting, home hosting dinners, a gala dinner, Moveable Feast wineries tour, closing party at the historic Caves House and the beginning of the annual regional wine festival.

 

“Delegates not only gained tremendous market intelligence from the Summit and established some strong business contacts, but also had a really good time discovering the many delights Margaret River has to offer,” said Summit organiser and Austrade representative Mr Mat Lewis.

 

“After all, wine and wine tourism are all about learning and enjoying, and this was certainly the case in Margaret River last week.

 

 “And when all was said and done it was a really successful gathering of industry leaders. We anticipate on-going business being generated from it, so ultimately those that supported it and took part will be the winners,” he said.

 

The event was supported by food, wine, tourism and arts product from across WA’s nine wine regions, giving participants a taste of the world-class product available with in the State.

 

“The Wine Travel Group is congratulated for organising this important gathering of industry leaders, as well as attracting a highly impressive array of Australian and international experts to Western Australia,” said Alan Carpenter MLA, Premier of Western Australia, in his welcoming comments.

 

For more information about the MasterCard World Wine & Travel Summit and Exhibition please contact Mr John Bradbury at the WTG on +61 8 9758 7089 or email: events@winetravelgroup.com.au.