Western Australia received a record number of 635,200 international visitors over the past year, an increase of 8.2 per cent over the previous year.
Western Australia received a record number of 635,200 international visitors over the past year, an increase of 8.2 per cent over the previous year.
The number of visitors from Singapore rose 34.6 per cent, New Zealand 14 per cent and Ireland 14.3 per cent.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said that it was great news for WA and shows that the state is doing a good job attracting visitors.
The Minister said international visitors stayed 15.7 million nights in WA - up 8.1 per cent - more than doubling the national average which increased 3.1 per cent.
"Visitor nights are important because they show how long each person is staying in WA making these new figures very positive," she said.
Ms McHale also announced an increase in visitor expenditure of 9.5 per cent to $1.23billion, smashing the national average which rose just 0.8 per cent.
Ms McHale said the UK remained WA's top tourism market with visitors increasing over the past year by 4.1 per cent, to 158,300.
THE FULL MEDIA RELEASE APPEARS BELOW.
International visitors to WA reach all time high
Western Australia's investment in tourism is paying dividends with new figures showing a massive increase in international visitor numbers.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale today said the number of international visitors to WA had increased by 8.2 per cent in the past year to a record number of 635,200.
The number of visitors from Singapore rose 34.6 per cent, New Zealand 14 per cent and Ireland 14.3 per cent.
"This is great news for WA and shows we are doing a good job attracting visitors to our wonderful State," Ms McHale said.
"It also shows the appeal WA has to visitors, especially when compared to the national average which increased 5.2 per cent."
The Minister said international visitors stayed 15.7 million nights in WA - up 8.1 per cent - more than doubling the national average which increased 3.1 per cent.
"Visitor nights are important because they show how long each person is staying in WA making these new figures very positive," she said.
Ms McHale also announced an increase in visitor expenditure of 9.5 per cent to $1.23billion, smashing the national average which rose just 0.8 per cent.
"The results are fantastic and show the State Government's additional funding and commitment to tourism marketing is taking effect," she said.
"Tourism is a major economic driver for the WA economy and creates more than 77,000 jobs for Western Australians."
Ms McHale said the UK remained WA's top tourism market with visitors increasing over the past year by 4.1 per cent, to 158,300.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
(Note: Statistics taken from Tourism Research Australia, International Visitor Survey (visitors aged 15+ years) 12 months ending December 2005.)
