Minister unveils new attraction at Albany's Whale World

22/11/03
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera today opened a new multi-media theatre at Whale World in Albany which is set to boost visitor numbers to the region.
"Whale World is an important tourist attraction for the Great Southern and the new multi-media theatre will no doubt have a very positive impact on the local community," Mr Kucera said.
Whale World operators, the Jaycees Community Foundation, recently received $50,000 in funding from the Western Australian Tourism Commission's Regional Marketing Assistance Scheme to market the new multi-media theatre.
"This funding will enable Whale World to market itself as a world-class attraction and increase the number of visitors," Mr Kucera said.
The Minister said there were eight other projects, worth a combined $7.7million, either completed this year or under construction in the Great Southern. A further $4million in tourism developments and improvements across the region were currently at the planning stage.
"These are very encouraging signs of the growing confidence in the region's tourism industry," Mr Kucera said.
Albany MLA Peter Watson said he was very pleased to see the State Government continuing its financial support of Whaleworld.
"Tourism is a large and growing part of our local economy and Whaleworld itself is an iconic attraction that virtually every tourist would associate with Albany," Mr Watson said.
"When commercial whaling ended 25 years ago, many people thought it would have a hugely negative impact on Albany's economy. Now we probably have more people employed and more income generated from tourism associated with whale watching and our whaling history than we ever had with whaling."
Mr Watson also paid tribute to Les Bail and the staff at Whaleworld, who he said did a tremendous job in promoting the Albany experience to tourists and locals alike.
Minister's office: 9213 7000