Skip to main content

ITS World Congress has a bigger than expected impact on Melbourne’s economy

The 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, in Melbourne, has had a bigger than expected economic impact on the local economy and is now estimated to be US$34.5 million (AU$46.6 million), nearly twice the initial projection. The increase has been attributed to the higher than anticipated attendance figures. More than 11,500 Australian and international delegates participated, 4,500 registrations more than the target figure of 7,000. The high volume of visitors had a positive impact on the loca
May 15, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
The 23rd World Congress on Intelligent Transport Systems, in Melbourne, has had a bigger than expected economic impact on the local economy and is now estimated to be US$34.5 million (AU$46.6 million), nearly twice the initial projection.


The increase has been attributed to the higher than anticipated attendance figures. More than 11,500 Australian and international delegates participated, 4,500 registrations more than the target figure of 7,000. The high volume of visitors had a positive impact on the local economy with benefits felt, in particular, across hotels, transport companies, restaurants and places of interest. The state of Victoria also benefited, with many visitors opting to make additional trips to regional Victoria and interstate.

Delivering the 6456 ITS World Congress to Melbourne was a collaborative effort, involving many partners including the Victorian Government, Melbourne Convention Bureau (MCB) and the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

The ITS World Congress showcased Melbourne’s multi modal transport network, taking more than 650 delegates to key air, sea, road, train, tram and freight centres. Albert Park’s internationally-recognised Formula One track was one of multiple locations for 3,500 booked live vehicle technology demonstrations. Almost 250 plenary, executive, special interest, scientific and technical sessions, 278 exhibiting partners, a hackathon and the student and public community projects were held at the MCEC.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Australia 'must look to Europe' as template for ITS data governance
    April 5, 2024
    ITS Australia conference in Brisbane also focused on key projects and collaboration
  • ERTICO-ITS Europe issues World Congress website warning
    July 11, 2018
    ERTICO-ITS Europe, organiser of September’s ITS World Congress in Copenhagen, has warned that an unofficial website could confuse potential delegates and suggests that people avoid it. The official site of the Congress is www.itsworldcongress.com, but a site exists with a similar domain - itsworldcongress2018.org – offering hotel bookings and travel information. In a statement, ERTICO said: “This website does not represent the ITS World Congress and is not affiliated with ERTICO – ITS Europe or any of t
  • ITS World Congress 2017 - call for papers deadline is 3 March
    February 24, 2017
    There is still time to submit papers for the 24th ITS World Congress 2017 in Montreal, which is hosted by ITS America will host the event from, 29 October to 2 November, with the theme of ‘Integrated Mobility Driving Smart Cities’. If you have undertaken research on an advanced ITS topic, the World Congress International Program Committee invites you to present your findings in Montreal by submitting a paper through the submission website. (link submission.itsworldcongress2017.org.) The Call for Spe
  • LA World Congress will be 'virtual' not 'in-person'
    June 1, 2020
    Covid-19 forces organisers to think again - and Atlanta 2021 dates are announced