Western Australian tourism growth goes beyond the mining boom

The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) is highlighting that Western Australia’s tourism industry is beginning to see significant positive growth, and that tourism has the potential to boost the State's economy beyond the mining boom.

Explaining ATEC's positive outlook for tourism in Western Australia, ATEC Managing Director Peter Shelley states "for almost 10 years the tourism industry has born the impact of the boom in Australia’s mining industry and the pressures it placed on currency, labour force and accommodation supply, particularly for those businesses operating in Western Australia.

“(Now) we are now seeing a leveling out in the economy, and the underlying strength of our tourism product in the international market is coming to the fore.

“Western Australia has some real opportunities to expand its tourism economy and the signs in the past 12 months have given us reason to feel positive about the future.”

Commenting on industry feedback received during recent ATEC roundtable meetings in Western Australia, Shelley said the local industry was gearing up to fully engage a renewed interest in its tourism product.

He added “the mining boom had a peculiar impact on our industry in Western Australian , particularly in the accommodation sector where some businesses along the city/airport corridor and around mining sites were hugely successful, and others were struggling to attract visitors and staff.

“During that time, the business travel sector for the state did very well, but this was at the significant expense of the broader leisure travel industry.

“Now the industry, supported by significant work undertaken by Tourism Western Australia to help boost visitation, is set to make maximum advantage of the renewed engagement with leisure tourism.

“Agreements like a new deal with China Southern Airlines and the international tennis tournament - the Hopman Cup - are encouraging signs the WA Government has recognised the importance of engaging tourism as its next economic driver for the state.”

For more information go to www.atec.net.au

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