WA tourism businesses land $70 million in State Budget

The funds will go towards local businesses and initiatives to encourage tourism in Western Australia, and come on top of the $195 million ‘Reconnect WA’ package to support interstate tourism, aviation, working holiday makers and international students.

The Tourism WA budget will target specific initiatives including:

• $31 million to attract additional major events and business events
• $21 million for two-year marketing boost internationally and interstate
• $18 million for a National Park Tourism Experiences Development package

WA hopes the $31 million promised for event tourism will attract blockbuster events, building on the success of the NRL State of Origin, Wallabies v England Rugby Union test match and the English football events.

“Big events bring tourists and awareness, and inject millions of dollars into the local businesses,” WA Tourism Minister Roger Cook said.

"We have been spreading the message around Australia and the world that WA is open for business and open for tourism.”

The funding includes $20 million for a ‘Major Events Fund’, which includes business events, and an extra $10.7 million for the ‘Event Tourism’ budget.

Destination marketing is another focus for the state government, with $21 million promised over the next two financial years.

These funds will be used to market WA as a globally desirable holiday destination and grow leisure visitation to the state, with a particular focus on the Coral Coast, Golden Outback, North-West, South-West and Perth.

The State will target the east coast of Australia with a local marketing campaign, and 11 priority international markets including Europe, the United States of America, United Kingdom, China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Finally, about $17.7 million will be spent over four years to deliver a ‘National Park Tourism Experience Development Package’.

This will include $6.5 million to establish eight ‘shovel-ready’ sites in national parks in preparation for private investment, including eco-retreat accommodation, and $5 million to work with industry to improve trails and attractions already in national parks.

"The McGowan Government's tourism strategy has been gathering momentum very quickly this year,” Cook said.

"This budget takes the strategy to the next level.

"It will deliver more opportunities to secure events, more investment in taking our message to international markets and more money to develop new tourism products.”