Farmstay holidays to be promoted at Singapore tourism expo

8/3/96

The unique experience of holidaying on a Western Australian farm or station will be promoted internationally at a major tourism promotion in Singapore next week.

Primary Industry Minister Monty House has granted the Farm and Country Holiday Association $5,000 to participate at the annual expo of Singapore's National Association of Travel Agents on March 15 - 17.

The promotion organised by Agriculture Western Australia and the Farm and Country Holiday Association will also promote quality local agricultural products and provide tastings of orange juice, milk, the new apple variety Royal Gala and Redglobe table grapes.

Mr House said the event was an ideal opportunity to promote not only farm and station accommodation, but WA's fine food and wine.

More than 120,000 Singapore tourists are predicted to visit WA each year by the year 2000.

"Farm and station stays throughout Western Australia are rapidly growing in popularity with thousands of tourists opting to 'farmstay' last year," the Minister said.

"Unique country experiences rarely available to city or overseas tourists, like shearing a sheep or milking a cow and the sheer vastness of WA farms and stations are a major drawcard to visitors from overseas."

Association president Tony Jenour said farm holidays gave tourists the chance to participate in, or simply observe, the general day-to-day activities of an operating farm or station.

Mr Jenour said the event would be held at the Singapore World Trade Centre and was expected to attract about 50,000 people over the three days.

"The expo is sales orientated and travel agents will be available to take bookings for farmstay holidays in WA that offer a real 'hands-on' alternative," he said.

Mr Jenour said there were now 300 farms and stations that were boosting their farm income by diversifying into the tourist industry.

Media contact: Nicole Trigwell 481 2044, 0411 470 831 Farm and Country Holiday Association Garry Palmer 368 3751