THE contribution of the tourism industry to the Western Australian economy has grown faster than the national average, rising 29 per cent in the past four years to reach a record $5.7 billion in 2006. The latest analysis, undertaken by Access Economics and commissioned by Tourism Western Australia, found that by comparison, national tourism spending had grown by14 per cent in that time. WA’s share of national tourism has risen from 8.5 per cent to 9.6 per cent in the past four years. In real terms, tourism’s contribution to the economy has grown by 27 per cent since 2002. In 2006, it comprised 4.7 per cent of gross state product. Tourism is also a major employer in the WA, with about 43,300 people, or 4.1 per cent of total state employment, directly employed in the sector. Tourism employment has remained steady over the period, which is consistent with reports of tourism operators having difficulties in finding staff because of the state’s skills shortage. Work rewarded THE Perth Mint won the Sir David Brand award, the top honour for tourism businesses, at the 2007 Western Australian Tourism Awards, held last week. WA wineries were well represented in the awards, with Sandalford Wines winning best major tourist attraction category, Xanadu Wines the best tourism winery, and Watershed Premium Wines the best tourism restaurant and catering service. Among the accommodation providers, Novotel Ningaloo Resort Exmouth was named best new tourism development, while Broome’s Cable Beach Club won the luxury accommodation cateogory. Avid vintage car collector and owner of the Fremantle and York Motor Museums, Peter Briggs, won the Sir David Brand medal, for his contribution to the state’s tourism industry.