WA plan to double value of tourism

The Western Australian Government has launched a new strategic plan, designed to boost Western Australia's tourism numbers over the next decade with the aim of seeing tourism contribute $12 billion to the State's economy by 2020.
The Western Australian Government's 'Strategy for Tourism in Western Australia 2020' report identifies seven key areas of opportunity to help WA's tourism industry.
The strategy's key areas of focus include business travel, growing Western Australia's share of high-yield Asian markets and expand tourism infrastructure.
Explaining that the plan intends as 'whole-of-government' and industry approach, WA Expecting the plan to contribute up to $12 billion to Western Australia's economy by 2020, Tourism Minister Kim Hames said the new strategy recognises the need to build the destination's Experience Extraordinary brand through "creative marketing campaigns".
Minister Hames stated "the strategy recognises the need to build the Experience Extraordinary brand with creative marketing campaigns and expand vital tourism infrastructure such as hotels, aviation and the workforce.
"It identifies opportunities for WA including encouraging business travellers to stay longer or come back for a holiday to experience our extraordinary State, and growing our share of the lucrative Asian markets."
The Minister said making WA a recognised events destination, increasing visitors to regional WA and providing every visitor the opportunity to have an Aboriginal experience were also important to increasing visitation.
Dr Hames said work on many of the initiatives had already begun, including developing the State's events calendar and expanding tourism infrastructure.
"Tourism WA has just delivered two excellent world-class events, the Perth International and Margaret River Gourmet Escape; secured routes on China Southern Airlines and Qatar Airways; and developed a host of incentives to help attract hotel investment in Perth and regional WA."
The Minister said implementation of the strategy, which had been endorsed by Cabinet, would be driven by Tourism WA in partnership with industry and other State Government agencies.
The strategy can be viewed at

http://www.tourism.wa.gov.au/About_Tourism_Western_Australia/Pages/Strategic_plan.aspx