Media Releases

WA Should Target 6,000 Tourism Jobs

14 August 2019

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the news from Tourism Research Australia’s latest State Tourism Satellite Accounts which show WA added around 2,000 tourism jobs in 2017-18.

However, Western Australia had the lowest tourism jobs growth of any State or Territory at 1.8 per cent, far behind the Australian growth of 5.3 per cent, and classified as “below average growth” in the report.

“If WA tourism had grown at the same rate as Australia, 5,700 new jobs would have been created across the State,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.

Interstate tourism rebounds off stadium appeal

16 July 2019

The latest National Visitor Survey results for the year ending March 2019 show the number of interstate visitors has increased by 16%. Spending by these visitors has increased by 22% to $1.7 billion over the twelve months to March 2019. 

The growth in interstate tourism is driven by a rebound in leisure visitors attracted to WA by State Government investment in marketing and events, Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.

International holiday visitors soar, but overall visitors decline

18 June 2019

The latest International Visitor Survey results for the year ending March 2019 show the number of holiday makers travelling from overseas has grown by 9.3%. Spending by these holiday makers has increased by 14.8%. 

The State Government’s funding boost has given the tourism industry an immediate boost in confidence as well. The industry is cooperatively investing more alongside Government in attracting holiday makers, which is starting to show results, Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said. 

Conference to add over quarter of a million dollars into local economy

7 June 2019

The tourism industry’s leading conference is expected to inject more than a quarter of a million dollars into the local economy of the host town, Karratha, when it takes place later this year.

More than 200 delegates are expected to attend the 2019 WA Regional Tourism Conference, which travels north for the first time on September 16 – 18. 

“Economic modelling shows conference delegates are expected to inject $310,000 into the local economy across the three-day event,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.

Lost Opportunity for Lobster Tourism & Regional Jobs

23 May 2019

Tourism Council WA expresses its disappointment that the fishing industry has not reached agreement with the State Government to provide any additional lobsters for the domestic market, including for marine tourism experiences and the proposed lobster festival.

“Today’s announcement is a lost opportunity for regional tourism and job creation,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.

“A small, sustainable increase in the availability of lobsters would have provided for new marine tourism experiences along the coast of Western Australia.”

Perth’s Hotel Boom Unprecedented: Report

16 May 2019

Perth has developed an unprecedented number of new hotels in the past five years, with 16 new hotels and almost 2,500 rooms constructed. However, Perth could have reached the end of its hotel boom, with no new construction starting in the past 12 months, a report released today by Tourism Council WA reveals.

“Since 2012, the number of hotel rooms in Perth has increased by 37 per cent,” Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said. 

Whole of Government Approach Needed to Attractions

13 May 2019

Tourism Council WA has welcomed today’s announcement by the State Government of a Tourism Case Management Framework to assist proponents of new attractions through the approvals process.

Under the Framework, Tourism WA would work closely with private sector proponents to provide advice and support to ensure their proposals are considered in a timely manner.

Industry Welcomes Tourism Funding Boost

9 May 2019

Tourism Council WA has welcomed a $19 million marketing boost for the tourism industry in today's State Budget.

Included in the Budget papers is an additional $9 million for international marketing and an additional $10 million for new aviation route development. 

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said investment in international marketing and aviation development would increase visitor expenditure and create jobs in WA. 

Rottnest Island Leads National Icons with $17m Federal Funding Announcement

9 April 2019

Tourism Council WA has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement this morning revealing Rottnest Island as the first project to receive funding through the Tourism Icons Package announced in the recent Federal Budget.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham this morning announced $17.2 million funding towards one of Western Australia’s most popular tourism destinations, Rottnest Island.

Boost Funding Will Win Back International Visitors, But New Attractions Needed

29 March 2019

The latest International Visitor Survey results for the year ending December 2018 show the number of international visitors to WA grew by 2%, while expenditure fell by 1%. By comparison, international visitors to Australia grew 5% and expenditure grew 7%.

Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the recent $12 million funding boost announced by the State Government would assist in turning around the decline in international tourism.