Tourism Forum aimed at taking Western Australia beyond resources

Local Western Australia tourism businesses will have access to the latest advice and industry insights to help maximise their inbound tourism opportunities at the International Tourism Marketing Forum place at Perth's Pan Pacific Hotel today (Thursday 16th April).

With a line up of international tourism experts, including speakers from TripAdvisor, the AOT Group and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the one day forum will be presented by the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) in partnership with Tourism WA.

Introducing the event ATEC Managing Director, Peter Shelley explained "there has never been a better opportunity for WA tourism to grow inbound tourism.

“All the indicators are pointing towards growth, including the strengthening of destination appeal via new infrastructure and facilities, an attractive foreign exchange rate, and less pressure on accommodation prices with a softening of the resources sector - all good signs for tourism in WA.

"This forum presents a unique opportunity to engage with key tourism decision makers who can provide advice and insights into how to grow inbound travel market share and build on the solid growth delivered through effective promotional campaigns implemented by Tourism Western Australia."

“Working in partnership with the WA tourism industry to increase the range of export focused products is a cornerstone to achieving the goal of a $12 billion tourism industry by 2020, and ATEC is pleased to be providing a forum that works towards that goal.

“Western Australia already enjoys a solid reputation as a destination for international visitors, attracting around 13% of overall international visitation to Australia, and local tourism business have a strong ability to grow this share even further.”

ATEC WA Branch Chairman, Jeromy Cotterill, said the forum, which will take place at the Pan Pacific Perth Hotel on Friday, will feature presentations on maximising export opportunities and will focus on the drivers for industry growth following the downturn in the resources market.

Cotterill added “Perth hotel rates and availability are now more competitive, which makes Perth even more attractive to local and international visitors.

“Now is the time for WA to take hold of its economic fortunes and recognise the vast opportunities export tourism offers for growth into the future.”

Click here for more information. 

Image shows Perth's Claremont Showgrounds.

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