The state government has announced that China Eastern Airlines will trial direct flights between Shanghai and Perth in January and February of next year
Tourism Council WA has put a damper on Tourism Minister Paul Papalia's positive take on new data showing a record number of jobs in the sector, pointing out that growth in tourism jobs in WA was the lowest of any state or territory.
Interstate and intrastate visitors to WA have increased, but international tourists numbers declined slightly, according to the latest data from Tourism Research Australia.
The number of international tourists visiting Western Australia has hit record levels, but overall international visitors to the state, including students, have declined.
The fishing industry says it is disappointed by the state government's backdown on a local lobster supply deal, with a planned international lobster festival to be one of the casualties.
Perth's hotel construction boom is entering its final phases, as existing and new operators adjust to a market transformed by the largest pipeline of development in Western Australian history.
Treasurer Ben Wyatt's state budget has delivered a dud for indigenous tourism, with funding slashed by nearly a third despite visitors to the state voicing their desire for authentic Aboriginal experiences.
The state government will assist potential operators of new tourist attractions to navigate the approvals process, following an industry campaign to reduce the red tape stifling the sector.
An authentic indigenous cultural centre could be a key element in the revival of Western Australia's ailing tourism sector, providing a unique attractor for interstate and international visitors, a recent forum has heard.
The McGowan government has brought a sudden end to long-running plans for a $28 million wave park on the Swan River, ironically just one day after the Tourism Council WA complained that the wave park was one of 16 new tourist experiences being held up by government red tape.
Premier Mark McGowan and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia have unveiled a $12 million spending boost for tourism and events marketing, but there remains a gap between Western Australia's total tourism budget and those of the big-spending eastern states.
More than a third of visitors to Western Australia who used Airbnb said they would never have had a holiday if it wasn't for the online home-share platform, the company asserted today, as it fought back against criticism by Tourism Council WA and the Australian Hotels Association.
Western Australia's peak tourism body has called for greater restrictions on short-stay accommodation providers claiming residential properties on Airbnb do not increase visitation to the state.
The state government and the Western Rock Lobster Council have reached a comprise on the future of the industry, with the annual catch to increase by just 315 tonnes. However, details of how this will be delivered to the local market have not yet been worked out.
The tourism industry has called for the establishment of a growth fund following the release of data showing a 7 per cent fall in spending by international tourists in Western Australia during the past year.
Opinion: Los Angeles and Miami should inspire Western Australians hoping to ignite tourist attention, but our state needs to consider how to generate the most value from the industry.
The state government has assured fishing industry representatives it has no plans to change how it determines catch limits across the sector after a surprise move last week to create, and take control of, new licences for local lobsters.
Kimberley Wild Expeditions, a member of the Indigenous Champions Program, won the tourism industry's highest prize over the weekend, just days after the Tourism Council WA called on the state government to maintain funding for Aboriginal tourism.
International tourists spent nearly $250 million less in Western Australia during the 2018 financial year than during the previous 12 months, new data from Tourism Research Australia shows.
SPECIAL REPORT: The state government is spearheading programs to build interest in WA as a preferred leisure destination within Australia and overseas.
Following the rejection of an initial proposal late last year, the Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority has given 3 Oceans Property the green light to progress its twin-tower mixed-use development on the corner of West Coast Highway and Scarborough Beach Road.
The remainder of the 2018 Margaret River Pro has been cancelled and the future of the World Surf League event may be in jeopardy due to fears of shark attacks.
The director general of the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation, Stephen Wood, will be leaving his job next week, after the government said it was not satisfied with his management of the tourism portfolio.
The tourism industry has thrown its support behind the government's new two-year plan to increase visitation to Western Australia, but says the plan needs to be backed with the right leadership, skills and financial resources.
Western Australia was the only state in the country to register a decline in international tourist numbers and spending in 2017 despite the national market recording steady growth, according to the latest data from Tourism Research Australia.
State government agency Tourism WA will have greater input into decisions on liquor licence applications, after Premier Mark McGowan today announced a series of regulatory reforms and red tape cuts.
Regional air service providers and sister companies Aviair and HeliSpirit are benefiting from a decision to increase the size of their fleets in recent years, flying more than 36,000 people across the Kimberley, Pilbara and Northern Territory during 2017.
Auditor general Colin Murphy's latest report has found Tourism Western Australia is unlikely to meet its headline target of doubling WA tourism spend by 2020 amid calls from the industry for reform of the government's tourism body.
Private sector sponsorship of public infrastructure has frequently caused controversy, and the sale of naming rights to Perth's new stadium is no exception.
Manny Papadoulis headed one of the biggest tourist operations in the state until a crisis half a world away drove it under; it was a roller coaster ride, but he remains passionate about the sector.
The state government has appointed Infrastructure Australia board member Nicole Lockwood to chair a new taskforce to plan a Kwinana outer harbour development, as Transport Minister Rita Saffioti indicated she would stare down internal party dissent about the project.
Accredited tourism businesses will be able to provide complimentary alcohol without a liquor licence, following changes to the state's liquor regulations announced today.
Western Australia is increasingly appearing on the radar for international visitors, with growth in overseas tourists visiting WA outpacing the national rate.
ANALYSIS: Colin Barnett says cuts in penalty rates should be extended to include the tourism industry to reflect the fact it is a 24-hours, seven-days-a-week operation.
The state's agricultural body has welcomed the Commonwealth's decision to reduce its planned backpacker tax to 15 per cent, less than half than what was originally proposed.
