Findings of the AC Nielsen International Visitor Survey show peaks and troughs in key Western Australian tourism markets, with the number of international visitors declining while spending went up.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said WA was outperforming the rest of the nation in a number of developing and international tourism markets.
"For example, Chinese tourist numbers to WA increased by 18 per cent (national average increase only six per cent) with visitor numbers from Korea increasing by 17 per cent (national average increase only two per cent)," she said.
"This growth, while off a small base, justifies the Government's decision to enter these markets last year.
Ms McHale labelled visitor numbers from Malaysia, Japan, Singapore and New Zealand disappointing, but said the lack of visitors was an Australia-wide issue.
"Contributing factors include the strengthening Australian dollar making the cost of Australian holidays higher and the emergence of low cost airlines servicing routes between Asian destinations, which again make travel to WA less cost competitive," she said.
"In spite of the 14 per cent decline in NZ tourist numbers, it is important to recognise this is still the second highest number of NZ visitors for any financial year.
"If we go back five years to the results in 2001-02, the past 12 months represent a 52 per cent increase in numbers from New Zealand.
"These peaks and troughs, along with the national downturn in domestic tourism, mean times are challenging for our tourism industry."
