Domestic tourism in Western Australia returns to pre-pandemic levels

Western Australia’s domestic tourism market has now bounced back to pre-Covid-19 levels topping $1 billion in domestic spending for the first time since early 2019.

The latest Tourism Research Australia figures show total domestic overnight spend in Western Australia in September 2022 reached $1.02 billion - a 37% increase compared with September 2019 when the total spend was $748 million.

Domestic trips to Regional Western Australia were also at their highest level since monthly tracking began in January 2019, resulting in a total spend of $577 million in September. This was an increase of $139 million (32%) compared with pre-Covid-19.

Perth saw its highest spend since the start of the pandemic, with domestic spend of $444 million, was up 43% compared to September 2019, driven by strong average daily spend.

Interstate visitation and spend continue to grow month on month. Western Australia had the strongest growth of all States, with interstate spending doubling from $216 million in September 2019 to $436 million in September 2022.

Intrastate trips in Western Australia in September were the highest since WA’s border reopening.

Commenting that the latest national figures show that the state’s tourism market is bouncing back, Western Australian Tourism Minister, Roger Cook stated “cracking a billion dollars in domestic spending is a milestone worth recognising.

“We’ve put a huge focus on reinvigorating our tourism market to stimulate economic activity for local business and to create jobs.

“The strategy is working but this is only the start. Our ambition is to go even higher while reinvigorating the international tourism market.”

Image: Perth's Scarborough Beach.