WA tourism revenue tops $4.8bn in 2006-07

Over a quarter of foreign tourists visiting Western Australia in 2006-07 were British, according to figures released today by the government-run body Tourism Research Australia, helping to boost Western Ausralia's tourist revenue to $4.8 billion.

The figures show that WA received 170,000 visitors from the United Kingdom in the year ended March 31, 2007, with Singaporeans the second most regular visitors, at 58,000, or 9 per cent of total foreign visitors.

However, while Chinese investors liked our ore, our shores appear to be less popular. While New South Wales received 248,000 tourists, or 9 per cent of its total, from China, Western Australia received only 10,000 - or 2 per cent - from the nation

The full text of an announcement from Tourism Minister Sheila McHale's office is pasted below

Visitors to Western Australia spent a record $4.8 billion in the past year, according to new tourism figures released today.

Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said the new figures showed in the 12 months to March 2007, total expenditure of international, interstate and intrastate visitors hit $4.8 billion for the first time.

"Spending by people travelling to WA from other States and Territories has grown and is better than the national average," Ms McHale said.

"As well, spending by Western Australians within WA has risen to an all time high.

"This research is very encouraging and proves we are attracting high-yield visitors who are giving our economy a significant boost."

The Minister said in addition to increases in expenditure for intrastate and interstate visitors - visitor nights and numbers in Western Australia had both increased.

"Interstate visitor numbers experienced massive growth of more than 22 per cent to nearly 1.3 million visitors - the greatest growth in numbers among all States and Territories," she said.

"Interstate and intrastate visitor nights have also substantially risen to a total of more than 30million nights over the past year.

"It is pleasing to note much of this growth in the interstate market is being driven by holiday-makers."

Ms McHale said the Tourism Research Australia figures came a week after research showing an increased number of international visitors were spending more and staying longer in WA.

"The Carpenter Government is growing the tourism industry to create jobs and opportunities for Western Australians."