Media Releases

Tourism Budget Welcome but Border Assumption Costly

8 October 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the increased tourism funding announced in today's State budget, but warned the tourism industry would face a $3 billion loss if Treasury assumptions about the State's border closure became reality.

Tourism funding will increase by approximately $12 million to $133 million in 2021-21, including an additional $9 million to boost regional aviation.

Industry Welcomes WA Government’s Flights Deal

5 October 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement from the State Government of the delivery of a regional flight deal for Western Australia.

The State Government’s partnership with Virgin Australia and Qantas will see 50,000 discounted tickets to Broome, Kununurra, and Exmouth go on sale.

Tourism Grant Announcement Welcome

4 October 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement from the State Government of the delivery of the Tourism Survival Grants. 

The Grants will provide funding to tourism businesses which require much-needed support due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.

Tourism Council CEO Evan Hall said that the grants would help businesses which relied upon a high volume of inbound visitors from interstate and overseas to be sustained. 

WA Domestic Tourism Down 26% in July

2 October 2020

WA domestic tourism lost $214 million, a decline of 26 per cent, in the month of July 2020 compared with July 2019 figures, the latest national visitor survey results reveal. 

While intrastate visitor spending grew by $72 million, this was not enough to compensate for the $286 million lost from the lack of interstate visitors. This does not include the $193 million lost from the lack of international visitors.

Be Kind These School Holidays

28 September 2020

Tourism Council WA is encouraging Western Australians to be kind to tourism operators and their staff these school holidays, as businesses face challenges impacting their ability to operate at capacity. 

Tourism businesses across WA are preparing to welcome visitors these school holidays while operating under capacity restraints and without the previous volume of working holiday makers who would usually pick up some of the load. 

New Resort to Inject $30m into Regional Tourism

27 September 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the release of the first look at a sustainable resort north of Exmouth, which will provide world-class accommodation and amenity to visitors.

Through Tattarang’s Ningaloo Lighthouse Project, an existing Exmouth caravan park will be transformed into a low-impact resort, with a mix of accommodation options and facilities including restaurants and bars, swimming pools, and recreation and boating facilities. 

Industry Welcomes ‘A million reasons to Wander out Yonder’ Initiative

17 September 2020

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today's announcement by the State Government of 'A million reasons to Wander out Yonder' to encourage Western Australians to experience more of the State like a tourist.  

'A million reasons to Wander out Yonder', available from Monday, will provide ten thousand $100 vouchers to members of the public to use on tours and experiences across WA.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the initiative was great news for tourism operators which were struggling due to the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. 

Backpacker Extension Crucial for Regional Tourism

14 September 2020

Tourism Council WA is today calling on the Federal Government to extend visas for all backpackers remaining in WA.

Normally there are around 14,000 backpackers in the State. Tourism Council WA estimates there are around 5,000 – 6,000 backpackers remaining, however they are leaving at a rate of around 1,000 – 2,000 per month.

“A 12-month visa extension would allow backpackers to continue to work in tourism businesses through the Christmas period and into the 2021 season in the North West,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.

WA Domestic Tourism Dollars Decline by Half

11 September 2020

Domestic WA tourism declined by $353 million, or 49 per cent, in the 12 months to June 2020, the latest visitor survey results reveal.

Tourism Council WA analysis of Tourism Research Australia’s latest National Visitor Survey results shows the number of domestic visitors declined by 15 per cent, while their spending declined by 49 per cent. 

Domestic tourism includes intrastate and interstate tourism. These figures do not include the additional major loss of international visitors and their spending.

AFL and Events Can Save Jobs

29 August 2020

An AFL final series and other major events scheduled for October onwards can activate Perth and help save local jobs as JobKeeper and JobSeeker wind down. 

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said Perth securing the AFL finals series would be perfect timing to encourage Western Australians to support tourism businesses in the CBD which were struggling to stay open and retain employees.