10 reasons to plan your next incentive trip to Melbourne

December 31, 2023

Melbourne is a vibrant, well-connected and welcoming city, offering a multitude of ever-changing and exclusive experiences to accommodate every group. The city leads the way in events, arts, culture, sport and infrastructure, and boasts a year-round calendar of annual events, festivals and shows, underpinned with a rich multicultural history and a food haven for exploration.

Read on the discover 10 reasons why you should have your next corporate meeting or incentive program in Melbourne, Australia!

1. Thriving city vibe

Melbourne leads the way in events, sport and infrastructure, and boasts a year-round calendar of events, festivals and shows, underpinned with a rich multicultural history and a food haven for exploration. Melbourne’s vibrant culture can be experienced in the streets and lanes, in bars and cafes, at numerous festivals, exhibitions, museums and galleries.

2. Diversity of experiences

Planners are spoilt for choice when developing programs. From city experiences to regional Victoria, a trip to Melbourne offers groups immersive, unique and memorable experiences, only available in this beautiful State. Discover exciting itineraries featuring unique wildlife such as penguins, koalas, seals and emus, scenic coastal drives across the Great Ocean Road gold panning at Sovereign Hill, to exclusive culinary experiences like wine tasting and orchard visits, and world class events like the Australia Open, the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, world-class cricket matches and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival - Melbourne has it all!

3. World-class food scene

Melbourne is renowned as a foodie haven with a diversity of cuisine that makes it a very enticing destination for all delegates alike.  There is a myriad of restaurants, food tours and ‘hands-on’ food experiences, so delegates can enjoy the famous culinary delights of the city. There are many restaurants and hotels that can provide an amazing selection of Indian food. 

4. Excellent accommodation

From five-star luxury to less, comfortable and fully equipped hotels and varied accommodations are readily available in Melbourne and the immediate surrounds where delegates can rejuvenate and indulge in style. All major international hotel chains are present in Melbourne including AccorHotels, Hyatt, Pan Pacific, Hilton, Sofitel, Novotel, Crown and Holiday Inn. There is also a wealth of boutique-style hotels for delegates looking for something special during their stay in Melbourne. 

5. State-of-the-art conference facilities and venues

Melbourne boasts the country’s highest concentration of conference facilities, conveniently located in the heart of the city. The convention district offers more than 197,000 square metres of conference space, the pinnacle of which is Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

If you are planning a unique function, a wide selection of over 80 unique venues is on offer in Melbourne’s city centre alone. Whether it’s a venue with a stunning waterfront location, spectacular skyline views, or delightful outdoor spaces, the options are endless - all paired with the very best cuisine, entertainment and high-quality service.

6. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

What better way to marry India’s love for sports and for travel than with a visit to the hallowed ground of Australian sports, the MCG Australia’s largest stadium. By no means limited to sports, the venue has a range of indoor and outdoor function spaces to suit a variety of events. The stadium holds over 100,000 people, and conference holders can impress delegates with the use of the scoreboard and LED ribbons. MCG Events can work with you to host intimate functions or larger gatherings, with the Olympic Room and Members Dining Room each having capacity for up to 1,000 guests in a cocktail configuration. For a unique corporate experience, event planners should consider embarking on a private tour of the MCG, led by a dedicated Melbourne Cricket Club guide who will bring the stories and secrets of the ground to life. 

7. Shopping experiences

From arts markets and high-end boutiques, to specialty stores in city laneways and luxurious shopping centres, Melbourne is the epitome of style and a shopping destination of choice.

8. Sustainability

Melbourne has a strong focus on sustainability and environmental conservation and ranked the number one sustainable city in Australia for business events in the Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-Index), making it an ideal destination for eco-conscious travellers.

9. Travel logistics and visa support

Melbourne is well-connected to India with daily direct flights from Delhi on Air India and Qantas. Premium airlines like Singapore Airlines, Malaysian Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines also have excellent one-stop connections. Visas are a hassle-free experience with the process being shifted online

10. Support from Melbourne Convention Bureau