Media Releases

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.

JobKeeper for Seasonal Tourism Staff Welcomed

7 August 2020

Following advocacy by Tourism Council WA, the Federal Government has announced a revision to the proposed JobKeeper extension which will include seasonal tourism workers which started after March 1 and before 1 July, if the business is eligible for the program.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the amendment was a huge win for seasonal tourism businesses in northern Western Australia.

Host Town Selected for 2021 WA Regional Tourism Conference

6 August 2020

Organisers of the WA Tourism Conference are pleased to announce the 2021 event will be held in Geraldton on May 3 – 5 and will be supported by new naming rights sponsor Perth Airport.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said Geraldton had been awarded the event in recognition of its commitment to recovering as a regional tourism destination and growing its appeal to international, interstate and local WA visitors. 

Tourism Industry Experiences Significant Decline

3 August 2020

Tourism Council WA’s latest industry survey reveals that despite a busy school holidays in many towns and regions, tourism business activity across WA declined 26 per cent in June and July compared with the same time last year.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said that since the regional borders had been removed, many Western Australians had been travelling and supporting tourism businesses, but this had not made up for business usually coming from interstate and international markets.

Roadmap to Open Interstate Borders Needed

17 June 2020

Tourism Council WA is calling on the Commonwealth and State Governments to establish a clear roadmap with anticipated dates for welcoming interstate visitors back to WA and recommencing business, cultural and sporting events. 

A roadmap with anticipated dates will enable the WA tourism industry to take flexible bookings and retain jobs and allow for large-scale events to be scheduled.

“Each day without interstate visitors, Western Australia loses 42 jobs,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.