Mid-West set to benefit from tourism growth

14/3/02
Major tourism growth is expected in the Mid-West over the next three years as the State Government pursues a new strategy to link tourism opportunities with all new developments.
New campaigns to promote regional and rural tourism and a number of major tourism projects already under way are the catalysts for this estimated growth.
Projects such as the Geraldton Foreshore Redevelopment and CBD Revitalisation Project, Indian Ocean Drive Project, and sustainable eco-tourism opportunities on the Abrolhos Islands will ensure the Mid-West is well placed to capitalise on this anticipated growth.
Tourism generated $4.2billion in economic impact for Western Australia in 2000-01 and Acting Tourism Minister Judy Edwards said strategies were in place to develop tourism into a $5billion a year industry by 2005.
"Tourism will take a new direction over the next three years, developing stronger partnerships with all areas of government and focussing on new opportunities in other core trade markets including mining, education, culture, heritage and the arts," Dr Edwards said.
"We will be spending $9.5million over the next 12 months promoting WA to Australia and our core international markets of the UK, Europe, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.
"We will also be looking at new market opportunities this year, including Hong Kong and Singapore.
"In all our advertising the focus will be on encouraging visitors to travel to regional areas."
Dr Edwards said more funding had also been made available for regional advertising, with the WA Tourism Commission providing grants of $50,000 to each regional tourism association for marketing and promotional activities.
This was in addition to the $2million over four years allocated by the State Government for marketing regional tourism and the $2million over four years available to support country visitor centres.
Dr Edwards said while tourists to WA had dropped in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the Ansett collapse, numbers had started to rebound.
In the long term, WA's bullish approach to tourism growth and economic benefit were as justified as predictions before September 11.
"Australia, and particularly WA, will be able to trade on its image as a safe tourist destination," the Minister said.
"WA has a clear point of difference - its ability to offer visitors an unparalleled nature experience.
"WA offers closeness to nature - a contact and an involvement you won't find anywhere else."
Minister's office: 9222 9699