Media Releases

Tourism Industry Devastated as Visitors Locked Down

11 August 2021

The WA tourism industry is facing its worst situation since the start of the pandemic, as potential visitors from across Australia are locked down. Business activity is down by 62% across the industry, the worst result since April 2020.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the industry needed support from the Federal and State Governments to retain the businesses that would enable WA to recover interstate, and eventually international, tourism.

Expand Grant Eligibility to Support Affected Businesses

21 July 2021

The eligibility criteria for the State Government’s $3,000 Small Business Lockdown Grants should be expanded to support more small businesses impacted by recent lockdowns.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said it was concerning that genuine tourism businesses which experienced a downturn due to the school holiday lockdown were not eligible for the Grants.

Assistance Needed as Tourism Businesses Face Average $58K Hit

2 July 2021

Tourism Council WA is calling for financial assistance for tourism businesses which have lost bookings and thousands of dollars due to recent regional and interstate travel restrictions and lockdowns.

An industry survey reveals sole traders and mum-and-dad operators have already lost an average of $9,600 per business, which will rise to at least $22,000 each if the lockdown is extended beyond Friday.

Individuals Recognised for Excellence in Tourism

4 May 2021

Six individuals have been recognised for their outstanding contribution to the tourism industry at tonight’s Perth Airport WA Regional Tourism Conference dinner in Geraldton.

Industry Welcomes Open Borders with New Zealand

9 April 2021

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government that Western Australia will open its borders with New Zealand from April 19.

Chief Executive Officer Evan Hall said the announcement was welcome news for the industry, giving tourism businesses certainty to start promoting themselves to international travellers.

Thousands of Tourism Jobs Going as JobKeeper Ends

1 April 2021

Urgent support is needed for tourism businesses which are shedding staff and at risk of closure due to JobKeeper ceasing during ongoing border closures and traveller uncertainty.

Airline Wage Subsidy Must be Extended to Small Tourism Businesses

18 March 2021

Tourism Council WA has called on the Federal Government to extend JobKeeper for all at-risk tourism businesses following the revelation that the major airlines have received a seven month extension of wage subsidies.

Tourism Council Welcomes New Tourism Minister

18 March 2021

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement of Hon David Templeman MLA as the new Tourism Minister in the re-elected Labor Government.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said he was looking forward to Minister Templeman being the strong voice that the WA tourism industry needed.

“I look forward to working with the new Minister in what is a very critical moment for the future of the industry,” Mr Hall said

Save Perth Jobs and Businesses with Discounted Flights

16 March 2021

The WA tourism industry is calling for Perth to be added to the Federal Government’s discounted airfare scheme, following the addition of Darwin, Adelaide and now Hobart to the list.

Federal Package Will Cost WA Tourism Jobs

11 March 2021

Today’s announcement by the Federal Government of discounted airfares does not support WA tourism businesses devastated by ongoing border closures and traveller uncertainty.

Tourism Council WA Chief Executive Officer Evan Hall said the package would not help the businesses and jobs most severely impacted, and discounted airfares targeting marginal east coast electorates will draw visitors and jobs away from WA.