14/11/03
'See it Do it' is the catchcry for a new campaign and events calendar to better promote all of Western Australia's unique tourism icons and events to the rest of the world.
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera unveiled the new calendar of events for 2004, stressing its importance to the future of tourism in our State.
"This year alone, State sponsored tourism events have boosted our economy by $67million," Mr Kucera said.
"We have so much to offer here in WA and we should be proud to share it with the world.
"More visitors means more activity in our backyard and that is good for all of us.
"State tourism is already a $3.8billion industry, employing about 80,000 people."
The 2004 Calendar features more of the great events happening across the State and will also be more accessible.
Travel agents and potential visitors in national and international locations will be able to take a look at everything on offer and be enticed to WA.
"Iconic sun, sand, and surf events such as Ironman Western Australia in Busselton, the WestNet Indian Ocean Masters Games in Geraldton, and ICF Canoe Marathon World Cup in Perth are among the new events on offer," Mr Kucera said.
"But there are also those local events which are dear to our hearts - visitors get to rub shoulders with locals and really experience our culture and community at its best.
"These are events such as the Australia Day Lotterywest Skyworks, the Leeuwin Concert, the Channel 7 Crab Fest in Mandurah, the Airnorth Ord Valley Muster in the East Kimberley and the Avon Descent."
The Minister said events staged in WA generated exposure for WA as the gateway to the nation.
"Events such as the Hyundai Hopman Cup 2003, Telstra Rally Australia 2003, Johnnie Walker Classic 2003 and Salomon Masters 2003 injected an estimated $67million in direct expenditure into the local economy," he said.
"We now know the Rugby World Cup 2003 delivered at least $36million in direct personal expenditure by visitors, and figures on direct organisational expenditure are still to come so it will get bigger still."
Mr Kucera said new features of the 'See it Do it' 2004 calendar included:
- an expanded listing of more than 35 events right across WA;
- a greater emphasis on arts and cultural events with 'His Majesty's Theatre Honours...' Centenary Celebrations Event, and the Biennale of Electronic Arts Perth included in the line-up for the first time;
- greater options to search for specific regional and metropolitan listings on-line at http://www.westernaustralia.net which was an improved website to promote events tourism in WA; and
- a 'festival approach' to events that would see industry and event organisers plan and co-ordinate activities to enhance and complement an event.
"I urge all Western Australians to 'see it, do it', after all who is there better to promote our great State than those of us lucky enough to call it home," the Minister said.
Minister's office: 9213 7000
