Media Releases

Destination marketing cuts will hurt regional WA

7 May 2026

Tourism Council WA has warned a 44 per cent cut to Tourism WA's destination marketing budget has come at the worst time for regional tourism. 

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the two-year $32 million reduction in destination marketing included regional tourism, aviation, and international and interstate marketing that drives visitors to regional WA.

Western Australians encouraged to travel as bookings fall

4 May 2026

A post-Easter survey by Tourism Council WA has revealed forward bookings for May, June and July have fallen 29 per cent across the state's tourism industry.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said while fuel costs had eased slightly, visitor confidence had not returned, with many travellers taking a wait-and-see approach to travel planning.

Mr Hall said since the Easter long weekend and school holidays had passed, forward bookings had slumped further while operations costs continued to increase.

Horizontal Falls Experiences Extended

14 April 2026

Tourism Council WA has congratulated the State Government on extending the world-famous Horizontal Falls experience until at least 2028 and investing $5 million in facilities to enhance experiences. 

Support payments for cyclone-hit tourism businesses

12 April 2026

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government of the $1.45million Cyclone Narelle Tourism Business Support Package, which includes payments for eligible cyclone-affected accredited tourism businesses.

As the peak industry association, Tourism Council WA has been advocating for immediate relief for accredited tourism businesses to be able to retain staff and continue operating until bookings and cash flow recover.

Exmouth Re-Opens to Visitors

8 April 2026

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s Main Roads update that parts of the Minilya-Exmouth Road were now open, allowing for road trips from Perth through to Exmouth via North West Coastal Highway and Burkett Road.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said Exmouth was looking forward to welcoming visitors during the school holidays and ANZAC Day long weekend.

Road Trips North Re-Opened

7 April 2026

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s Main Roads update that the North West Coastal Highway was now open for road trips along Highway 1 from Perth through to Broome, Karijini and the Pilbara.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the cleanup was completed in towns like Onslow and visitors were encouraged to travel north.

Mr Hall said Mains Roads had designated some sections of the North West Coastal Highway as road open with caution, meaning drivers should take more care than usual. 

Voting Opens in 2026 7NEWS Top Tourism Town Awards

2 April 2026

The public can have its say from today in which destinations are crowned WA’s Top, Small and Tiny Tourism Towns, with voting now open in the 2026 7NEWS Top Tourism Town Awards.

Thirteen towns from across Western Australia have been named finalists across three categories in the highly coveted Awards program. From 9am today the public can vote online for their favourite town or city and go into the draw to win a $5,000 holiday in Western Australia or a $500 voucher at any RAC Park or Resort.

Keep Your Easter Holiday Travel Plans

30 March 2026

Western Australians are encouraged to keep their Easter holiday plans and road trips to support regional towns, especially in the wake of Cyclone Narelle.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the tourism sector welcomed the Prime Minister’s support for Australians to still travel during the Easter holidays.

Holidays in WA to surge amid Middle East conflict

17 March 2026

WA Businesses Win at National Tourism Awards

6 March 2026

Western Australian tourism businesses have taken home 16 medals for the State at the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards held in Fremantle - Australia’s reigning Top Tourism Town - tonight. 

The medals were awarded to: