Call for tourism industry investment after Western Australia’s border opening

Yesterday’s reopening of its border by the Western Australian Government has seen vaccinated travellers able to enter the state for the first time in almost two years.

After a false start last month, more than 20,000 passengers are booked to travel this week on flights to and from Perth in a move welcomed by the tourism industry.

However, while welcoming the border opening and extending a warm welcome to interstate and international visitors, Tourism Council WA Chief Executive has stated that while the border lifting is a positive step forward for tourism, the impact of more than two years of border restrictions will continue to be felt by the “decimated” tourism sector, explaining “tourism operators are ready for visitors to return … but the financial cost and loss of staff will not be quickly or easily overcome,” he said.

Tourism Council WA points out that since the onset of Western Australia’s border restrictions in January 2020, $4 billion has been wiped from the $12 billion Western Australian tourism industry, with 20,000 tourism jobs lost and countless lives disrupted.

Hall said the border delays and uncertainty had caused many events and holiday trips to be cancelled indefinitely, with the border opening not having brought a flood of bookings to the decimated industry.

Speaking of the newly introduced capacity limits on live events, Hall advised “event venues and attractions are still being impacted by level 2 restrictions and the businesses that are suffering due to these restrictions will require support

“An opinion poll commission by Tourism Council WA shows Western Australians want to see the State Government supply support packages for the tourism industry.”

The poll found 75% of respondents agreed that businesses disrupted by COVID-19 restrictions should receive financial support from the Western Australian Government, with Hall noting that the border opening did not reduce the need for investment in aviation, tourism, and events.

In the poll, 69% of Western Australians called for the Western Australian Government to invest in these areas to recover jobs, business, and economic diversity once the borders opened.

Hall went on to say “it is going to take time and support for the industry to recover the jobs lost, reputations damaged, and economic diversity.

“Tourism Council WA is calling on a sizable support package where all businesses that have suffered financial loss are clearly eligible for funding.”

Qantas’ Alan Joyce
Qantas Group Chief Executive Alan Joyce has also welcomed the border reopening, saying that it is time for Australia to move forward with confidence as the world emerges from a Covid travel pause.

Joyce stated “the past two years have been incredibly challenging for people who have been separated from friends and family in WA for most of that time, so it will be an emotional day for those reuniting with loved ones.”

New Perth events venue
A new  $10 million venue is opening in Perth this month offering event and hospitality spaces across three levels.

Located in a converted 1950s warehouse in the suburb Mount Lawley, The Beaufort is a state-of-the-art venue offering a multitude of different spaces.

The top-level features rooftop terrace Candy Bar, with the rest of the venue including a speakeasy cocktail bar Cypher, a dancefloor, an outdoor beer and wine garden overlooking Beaufort Street and Lotus restaurant with a south-east Asian focus.

Images; Fremantle from the air (top, credit: Perth Festival) and the new The Beaufort venue in Mount Lawley (below).