Welcome sign to greet Kimberley tourists

10/2/00
A sign bearing the distinctive broad brushstroke of blue sky beneath a yellow sun - the Brand WA design - now welcomes visitors crossing the border into Western Australia on the Victoria Highway.
Tourism Minister Norman Moore today inspected the new Welcome to Western Australia sign on the roadside at the Agriculture WA quarantine border checkpoint, 40km east of Kununurra.
Mr Moore said the bold new 5m x 2m sign, which would greet the increasing number of motorists using the State's northern gateway, was part of a State Government program of branded entry and departure signs between regions and along the WA border.
A similar sign would greet travellers on the railway line at the WA-SA border by the end of the month and there were plans for another sign on the Eyre Highway at the border quarantine checkpoint.
"This sign, to be joined by others welcoming visitors to the Kimberley, sends a clear message to our guests that they are about to enjoy a high-quality experience that is unique and in stunning contrast to any other part of Australia - and the world," Mr Moore said.
He said that with 25,000 interstate vehicles heading into the region each year on the Victoria Highway, the Coalition Government was committed to ensuring the continuing provision of quality tourist infrastructure in the East Kimberley.
"About 900,000 Australians visited the State's North last year - including an impressive 418,000 visitors to the Kimberley," the Minister said.
"These visitors injected about $108 million into the local economy.
"The increasing number of Europeans who visit off-peak is helping to extend the traditional Kimberley tourist season of June to August to become March through to October."
Mr Moore said the Government's package of tourism initiatives, including its Nature Based Tourism Strategy, was working with the regional plans of the Kimberley Tourism Association and Kimberley Development Commission to ensure economic growth through sustainable tourism development.
"We all play a vital role in the Government's vision to establish WA as the leading nature-based destination in the world," Mr Moore said.
Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister's office, 9321 1444
Tamara Bowles, Corporate Communications Project Manager, Western Australian Tourism Commission, 92201708 E-mail: tbowles@tourism.wa.gov.au.