Tourism spending in WA topped $4.6 billion in the 2006 calendar year, with over 40 per cent more domestic visitors, according to research released today by Tourism Australia.
Tourism spending in WA topped $4.6 billion in the 2006 calendar year, with over 40 per cent more domestic visitors, according to research released today by Tourism Australia.
The full text of an announcement from Tourism Minister Sheila McHale is pasted below
Visitors to Western Australia from overseas and interstate are spending more than ever before, according to research by Tourism Australia.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said she was encouraged by the latest domestic and international results to the year ended December 2006, which showed visitor spending in WA had topped $4.6 billion for the first time.
Ms McHale said the quarterly figures showed domestic visitor numbers had skyrocketed by 40.7 per cent and visitor spending had increased by 34.6 per cent compared with 2005.
"The latest domestic results were extremely encouraging and show 1.3 million interstate visitors to WA in the year ending December 2006," she said.
"The research indicates interstate tourism visitor numbers are recovering, particularly to WA, but that there are challenges in some international markets requiring further examination beyond just statistics."
Ms McHale noted that the figures must be used with caution as they are volatile and often show steep variations.
"It is pleasing to note these latest figures also make it clear leisure travellers, not business travellers, are the main drivers of this growth.
"Coupled with extensive co-operative activity with our trade partners and an active campaign to educate travel agents, we are seeing outstanding results from the UK and interstate," she said.
Ms McHale said while the domestic results had soared and were outshining the rest of the nation, total international numbers were static.
"We do have challenges ahead, particularly in some Asian markets where there is fierce competition and enormous growth in the low cost airline market.
"That is why the Government worked so hard to encourage Tiger Airways to add Perth to its routes.
"The strong Australian dollar is also driving potential Asian visitors to cheaper destinations."
Note: National tourism research data is released on a quarterly basis by Tourism Research Australia, and is based on a comprehensive telephone survey undertaken with 120,000 Australians every year. International tourism research data is also released on a quarterly basis and is based on face-to-face surveys with 40,000 international visitors each year.
