News Articles for Tourism WA

The state government has today pledged to spend $2 million promoting regional tourism and $8 million on aviation, as it ramps-up its response to the worsening coronavirus outbreak.

For a man tasked with delivering air travel solutions and encouraging people to fly, Kevin Brown says the bulk of his recent work has involved helping the travelling public spend less time in transit.

The state government has today announced additional flights to and from Singapore, in an effort to maintain stability in WA's tourism market following the worsening coronavirus outbreak on the Chinese mainland.

The state government has approved an application by the Yindjibarndi Aboriginal Corporation to build accommodation at Millstream Chichester National Park, with the company to develop glamping tents, caravan sites and a new restaurant at the park.

The Morrison government has announced a suite of measures to immediately support small businesses, non-profit organisations and tourism businesses affected by Australia's bushfires.

Growing the number of direct routes from and into Asia will be a priority for Perth Airport in the coming year, chief executive Kevin Brown says.

Premier Mark McGowan this morning said direct flights from China were critical to growing WA's tourism industry, as the first direct flight from Shanghai to Perth arrived at Perth Airport.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia announced a series of marketing campaigns with tourism operators in Germany, Switzerland and the UK in December as part of the state government's $12 million marketing campaign targeting European tourists.

The state government has announced new direct flights between the Philippines and WA beginning in March of next year, with tickets expected to go on sale this month.

Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman has announced the formation of a cultural precinct taskforce, ahead of WA Museum's reopening in late 2020.

Funding for terminal upgrades at the Busselton-Margaret River Airport remain up in the air as Jetstar has announced it will operate direct flights between Melbourne and Busselton in March of next year.

The state government has announced that China Eastern Airlines will trial direct flights between Shanghai and Perth in January and February of next year

While WA's tourism industry has steadily recovered in the past year, industry and business leaders continue to debate the best way forward.

Qantas has reaffirmed its desire to gain control of Alliance Aviation Services despite the competition watchdog today expressing concern about the two airlines coming together.

The Western Australian government has suspended its tourism campaign featuring MasterChef's George Calombaris after he was fined for underpaying restaurant workers by almost $8 million.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia today announced a suite of international marketing campaigns as part of what the government is calling the biggest international marketing push in the state's history.

Rachel Ward has been announced as film prize jury chair for 2019's CinefestOZ, to take place from August 28 to September 1.

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.

The federal government has pledged $17.2 million in funding for Rottnest Island, while the state government also announced today it would inject $16.2 million into the holiday destination.

Western Australia recorded its highest-ever number of international holidaymakers in 2018, but total spending from international visitors declined slightly over the year, as fewer people took working holidays or visited friends and relatives in the state, according to Tourism Research Australia.

Tennis Australia and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia have today officially confirmed the demise of the Hopman Cup, to be replaced by a men's ATP Cup from January next year.

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.

OPINION: The hotel sector has a patchy recent past when it comes to meeting consumer demand, so the recent attacks on Airbnb are beyond the pale.

The federal government has today announced new and renewed appointments to its Takeovers Panel including Perth-based John McGlue, Shirley In't Veld and Denise McComish.

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.

Former Association of Surfing Professionals chief executive Brodie Carr has been appointed as Tourism WA's new managing director.

The Brand Agency has launched a destination marketing division, headed by former Tourism WA chief executive Gwyn Dolphin.

How did Australia's richest film prize come to land in Busselton, a regional town with a population of just 38,300?

Dean joins Corrs Chambers Westgarth partnership

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 Independent Living Centre WA has appointed Steve Glew chief executive.

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.

Pop-up dining business Fervor is promoting the unique tastes and spaces of Western Australia with the launch of a documentary and book later this year.

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.

Despite 14 years of successful displays, Perth's Sculpture by the Sea is struggling to attract the funds needed to keep the event free to the public.

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.

The Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority has disclosed that the majority of public submissions on the $450 million Iconic Scarborough development supported the project, but said all government agencies and utilities it consulted, with the sole exception of Tourism WA, opposed it.

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.