$100m slump in tourism spending

Eastern states tourists have spent a whopping $103 million less in Western Australia in 2010-11, compared to the previous year, according to data released today.

Tourism Research Australia said interstate visitors to WA dropped by 24 per cent, driving the slump in tourist spending.

Tourism Council chief executive Evan Hall called for more state government investment in the industry, which saw a 26 per cent reduction in the number of visitors from Queensland, and a 16 per cent drop in NSW visitors.

“When you lose $100 million in tourist dollars you put a huge hole in the economy,” Mr Hall said.

“That means jobs lost and businesses going to the wall, particularly in regional tourism areas.

“We are losing QLD and NSW visitors to places like Melbourne which have invested in marketing, events, convention centres and hotels.

“The state government should invest in tourism the same way they are investing in mining.”