Media Releases

Tourism Council WA Celebrates Ocean Master Launch

7 February 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the launch of Rottnest Fast Ferries’ new Ocean Master catamaran.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the purpose-built Rottnest Island vessel would provide a comfortable and enjoyable journey for Rottnest Island visitors.

Mr Hall said close to 800,000 people visited Rottnest Island annually, generating $283 million in visitor spending, which created 2,180 total jobs across WA.

Albany Port Election Commitment Welcomed by Tourism Industry

7 February 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the $10 million WA Labor election commitment investment in a business case for a new general-purpose berth at the Port of Albany, announced today.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the potential for increased cruise ships stopping at the port would provide an opportunity to expand the capacity for tourism in Albany.

“Visitors to Albany spend $305 million in the local destination each year, creating 1,690 jobs,” Mr Hall said.

Albany Airport Election Commitment Welcomed by Tourism Industry

6 February 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the $14 million Labor election commitment to invest in Albany Airport upgrades, announced today.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the upgraded runway, taxiway and apron would provide an opportunity to expand the capacity for tourism in Albany.

Mr Hall said Albany also urgently needed new accommodation and larger aircraft to enable more passengers to visit Albany via an expanded airport. 

Tourism Industry Welcomes WA Labor’s Broome Port Election Commitment

5 February 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed WA Labor’s $500,000 election commitment for future planning of a new purpose-built passenger terminal for Broome.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the new infrastructure would drive better experiences and services for cruise ship passengers. 

“A purpose-built passenger terminal will enhance the overall visitor experience from arrival in Broome, but also increase capacity and bring additional visitors who can have a better experience,” Mr Hall said.

Unique Tourism Accommodation Program Welcomed by Tourism Industry

31 January 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the opening of the Unique Tourism Accommodation Proposals program, announced by the State Government today.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said Western Australia was crying out for new regional accommodation. 

“We don’t have enough accommodation for all Western Australian travellers during school holidays and other peak seasons,” Mr Hall said. 

Tourism Industry Welcomes Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027

30 January 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the seven Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 matches to be played in Perth, announced by the State Government today.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said Perth had embraced many Rugby Union matches, including the upcoming Lions tour and Bledisloe Cup later this year. 

“Rugby fans are famously well-heeled visitors who will spend big in WA,” Mr Hall said. 

Tourism Industry Welcomes Return of Shore Leave Festival

17 January 2025

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the return of the Shore Leave Festival in 2025 announced by the State Government today, which was expected to attract additional overnight visitors to Geraldton.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said major events like the Shore Leave Festival gave interstate and international visitors a compelling reason to travel to Western Australia at a specific time, boosting local visitor spend and job creation.

Direct Flights between Guangzhou and Perth Welcomed

28 November 2024

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement that direct flights between Guangzhou and Perth have resumed.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the direct flights were a key step in recovering international visitors to Western Australia, as Chinese visitors were the highest spending visitors and the fourth largest source of international arrivals to Australia.

Industry Welcomes New Tourism WA MD

Media Release: 15 November 2024

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement of Tourism WA’s new Managing Director Anneke Brown.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said Ms Brown had tourism industry experience as a Rottnest Island Authority board member, and previously sitting on the Tourism WA board for two years.

Mr Hall said Ms Brown had a tourism industry background, having led the opening team of the COMO The Treasury, and a long history of international hotel management. 

Tourism Industry Welcomes AFL Fixtures

Media Release: 13 November 2024

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the matches to be played by North Melbourne Kangaroos at Hands Oval in Bunbury and Optus Stadium in Perth against the West Coast Eagles and Fremantle Dockers, announced by the State Government today.