Media Releases

$50M Support Package Needed as Lockdown Bites

22 February 2021

New financial assistance is needed to sustain WA tourism businesses and jobs, as the latest industry survey reveals the WA tourism industry lost at least $130 million during the recent lockdown and increased restrictions. 

Tourism Council WA is calling on the State Government and Opposition to pledge $50 million towards a support package for at-risk tourism businesses that have been severely impacted because of the recent COVID-19 lockdowns and interstate and regional travel restrictions.

WA Tourism Plea for JobKeeper Replacement

12 February 2021 

New financial assistance to replace JobKeeper is required to sustain tourism businesses and jobs, as the latest official visitor statistics show WA domestic tourism declined by $2.6 billion, or 40 per cent, from March to November 2020.

The latest National Visitor Survey from Tourism Research Australia reveals that from the start of interstate and intrastate travel restrictions in March 2020 up until November, intrastate visitor spending in WA declined by $860 million and interstate visitor spending was down $1,780 million.

One in five tourism businesses at risk

14 January 2021

One in five WA tourism businesses face closure or major job losses due to border uncertainty if JobKeeper expires at the end of March. 

Tourism Council WA’s latest survey reveals the industry has copped mass cancellations from interstate guests since Christmas due to border uncertainty, and forward bookings are down 35 per cent.

WA Domestic Tourism Loses $688m in 3 Months

11 December 2020

WA domestic tourism lost $688 million in the September 2020 quarter, the latest independent National Visitor Survey results from Tourism Research Australia reveal.

While intrastate visitor spending grew by $98 million in the quarter, this was not enough to compensate for the $786 million lost from the lack of interstate visitors. These figures do not include the $580 million lost from international tourism due to border closures.

Tourism Call to ‘Bring ‘Em Here for Christmas This Year’

8 December 2020

The tourism industry is calling on Western Australians to bring their family and friends from around Australia to WA over Christmas. With most interstate travel to WA resuming, now is the perfect time to treat interstate friends and family with a Christmas stay in WA. 

“Throughout 2020, our family and friends from across the country have faced lockdowns and restrictions. It’s now time to celebrate the festive season together, and there’s no better way to do it than reuniting here in WA,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.

Border Opening Ends Uncertainty for Tourism

7 December 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement today by the Premier that Western Australia will reopen its borders with New South Wales from midnight tonight.

Chief Executive Officer Evan Hall said today’s announcement by the Premier ended the uncertainty that tourism operators had been experiencing and set a good precedent for the future.

Time to Compete for NSW and VIC Visitors

1 December 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement today by the Premier that Western Australia will remove the quarantine requirement for visitors from New South Wales and Victoria from December 8.

Chief Executive Officer Evan Hall said the date announcement would provide certainty for tourism businesses to take bookings, and for visitors intending to travel to WA. 

Tourism Industry Backs Contact Register

25 November 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government of the SafeWA contact registration system for tourism and hospitality businesses.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the contact register was a necessary tool to help reduce community risk while keeping businesses open and maintaining jobs.

“Tourism Council WA commends the State Government on the introduction of the contact register and State-wide QR code system,” Mr Hall said.

Controlled Interstate Border Gives Certainty for Tourism

30 October 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement today by the Premier that Western Australia will open its interstate border to several states on November 14. The new arrangements will provide tourism businesses with certainty to recruit staff, take bookings and open next year. 

Chief Executive Officer Evan Hall said the industry supported the State Government’s gradual and cautious approach to the recommencement of interstate travel.

Western Australians Support Safe Border Easing

27 October 2020

Independent polling commissioned by Tourism Council WA shows seventy per cent of Western Australians support setting a tentative date for easing the State’s hard border, and the same amount support opening to States with low or zero transmission of COVID-19. 

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the polling showed there was strong community support for opening Western Australia’s border to COVID-safe States.