10/8/07
Western Australia's South-West region today received a tourism boost when Denmark opened the doors to its new visitor centre.
Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said that the new multi-functional facility was great news for Denmark and for the increasing number of visitors to the region.
"Denmark's previous visitor centre saw more than 43,000 walk-in visitors last year alone, which reveals just how important the service is," Ms McHale said.
"In the past 12 months, $4.8billion has been spent by nearly 7.4 million visitors to WA and more than two million of these visitors came to the South-West.
"These figures are not surprising considering the region is home to some of our most amazing attractions - the Valley of the Giants Treetop Walk, Green's Pool and the award-winning Bibbulmun Track."
Shire of Denmark chief executive officer, Mr Pascoe Durtanovich, acknowledged the State Government's contribution.
"The State Government and the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services joined the Shire of Denmark to provide more than $750,000 in funding for the new facility," Mr Durtanovich said.
"The Denmark Visitor Centre has been providing tourist information and an efficient booking service for more than four decades and we simply outgrew the previous location.
"The centre will be an attraction in itself with the world's largest barometer, the Bert Bolle Barometer, forming the centrepiece of the new centre.
"There will also be wine and food displays and live wood-turning exhibitions."
The Minister, who was in Denmark to open the centre, said she was impressed with the facility and the community's willingness to make the project happen.
"Effective visitor servicing ensures tourists get more out of their visit, stay longer, spend more and spread the word when they get home," Ms McHale said.
"Tourism WA's 2004 Visitor Servicing Study highlighted strategies to meet the future needs of domestic and international visitors, and part of the State's $3.7million funding has been used to upgrade selected accredited WA visitor centres.
"Funding has also been dedicated to improving visitor centre staff training and enhancing the technologies used to deliver visitor servicing needs.
"The Carpenter Government is growing our tourism industry to create jobs and opportunities for all Western Australians."
Minister's office - 9213 6900
