Tourism linked to heritage is set to receive a boost, with Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts and Tourism Minister Sheila McHale announcing the State Government will invest $250,000 in this specialist area.
Tourism linked to heritage is set to receive a boost, with Heritage Minister Michelle Roberts and Tourism Minister Sheila McHale announcing the State Government will invest $250,000 in this specialist area.
The strategy would form part of the operational plans of both the Heritage Council of WA and Tourism Western Australia.
"WA has much to offer the heritage tourist through its distinctive history and unique sense of place," Mrs Roberts said.
"This new strategy recognises the value and importance of heritage tourism.
"Importantly, it will provide a co-ordinated approach to promoting and conserving our diverse historical assets.
"By highlighting aspects of our past in a meaningful and engaging way, we can create and offer a tourism experience much sought-after by visitors.
"Implementation of the strategy will bring about both an exciting and dynamic development of the heritage tourism industry and improved sustainability.
"As part of the strategy, a heritage tourism advisory group made up of key stakeholders will be established."
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said research had shown that heritage and historic tourism provided significant social and economic benefits for those who adopt, nurture and stimulate it.
"Government support of heritage tourism will help generate increased investment, employment and retail spending," Ms McHale said.
"This is backed up by research indicating that, globally, heritage tourism is the most rapidly expanding sector by visitor numbers and it attracts the highest yield tourists.
"Income from this source also tends to be dispersed more evenly throughout the State than other forms of tourism, with regional communities enjoying a proportionately higher return.
"Perhaps not surprisingly, the growth of heritage tourism is largely being driven by the 'baby boomers', a group with the time, income and personal interest to devote to heritage travel.
"In terms of social benefits, this form of tourism also helps to promote a heightened sense of community pride and connection."
Mrs Roberts highlighted the fact that WA had a rich store of heritage regions with tourism assets.
"The Cities of Perth and Fremantle, as well as the town of Guildford, demonstrate settlement and our convict past, while the Goldfields and Murchison offer visitors a dynamic mix of past and present associated with the history of gold," she said.
"Heritage Rail is another aspect which can be explored in places like Collie and parts of the South-West, Peel, Mid-West and metropolitan areas, while maritime heritage is associated with places such as Esperance, Albany, Busselton, Bunbury, Geraldton, Exmouth and Broome.
"Other themes and areas that will be further evaluated and developed over the next 12 months include military, religious - for example the Monsignor Hawes Heritage Project in the Mid-West/Gascoyne - and the Outback and indigenous history via the Canning Stock Route.
"The strategy will also ensure that heritage tourism communication tools, including themed websites, database and image libraries, publications, case studies and heritage tourism newsletters, will be further investigated and developed.
"There are many exciting possibilities to be pursued through the Heritage Tourism Strategy, and we look forward to a positive and rewarding journey ahead."
