10 February 2013
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall has welcomed election promises from both parties to build the airport rail link by 2018. The link will be a major boost for tourism by reducing congestion and travel costs; and improving the visitor experience.
The Liberal party have proposed a $1.895 billion Airport rail link which will include three stations and 3000 parking bays and the Labor party have also promised to build a Perth Airport rail line as the first project of it $3.8billion METRONET priority program.
“Almost every visitor to WA arrives through Perth Airport” said Mr Hall “these visitors add $8 billion to the local economy each year and creates 108,000 jobs in Perth and regional towns.”
“Perth Airport is our most important tourism asset and transport connections are critical tourism infrastructure” said Mr Hall.
“Building the airport rail link by 2018 will ensure Perth remains competitive as a destination for events, students, business and leisure tourists” said Mr Hall.
“The Airport rail link will be a major boost for backpackers and budget tourists, as well as time-poor business travellers and conference delegates” said Mr Hall.
“Tourist won’t have to wait for expensive taxis, they can catch a fast train service instead” said Mr Hall “this is the positive story they will tell about Perth when they get back home.”
“Airport rail connections to the CBD are also essential for winning major business and sporting events bids for WA” said Mr Hall.
“You don’t get to host major world events if you can’t move around masses of visitors from the airport to the city” said Mr Hall.
“With an airport rail link and an international stadium you can start thinking about the World Cup and the Olympics” said Mr Hall.
A rail link to the Perth Airport has been one of the major asks in Tourism Council WA’s Tourism 4 Tomorrow election policies proposals.
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