New regional tourism organisation up and running

10/12/03
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera has welcomed the launch of a new regional tourism organisation for Perth, Peel and part of the Heartlands.
The new organisation is the first of five that will work with the Western Australian Tourism Commission to market the State's five new tourism regions.
"This is fantastic news for the regions concerned, and is an important step in marketing Western Australia more effectively at a global level," Mr Kucera said.
The new tourism regions are the result of a realignment of WA's tourism region boundaries announced earlier this year.
Perth, Peel and parts of the Heartlands were combined to make a region which has been dubbed 'orange' until it is officially named.
"The region boasts a wide range of attractions from Kings Park, the Swan River and Fremantle, to the Hills, Swan Valley, Mandurah, Lancelin and the Avon Valley," the Minister said.
"The Orange Regional Tourism Organisation will receive annual base funding of $425,000 from the WA Tourism Commission.
"It will use this money to market itself within WA, while continuing to work with the Tourism Commission and the tourism industry to market the region at a national and international level."
Mr Kucera thanked the local steering committee who had worked to get the regional tourism organisation up and running.
"Their determination to find solutions to any issues that cropped up, and their enthusiasm to now get on with the job of marketing the orange region is great to see," he said.
Inaugural chair of the Regional Tourism Organisation Board will be Peel-based businessman Vern Goff, with Fremantle Chamber of Commerce CEO John Longley as vice chair.
The board will have six elected members, representing each of the tourism precincts within the region, and up to five positions appointed on the basis of skills and knowledge.
"The new organisation will undertake all the pre-existing marketing activities of the Peel and Heartlands Tourism Associations, as well as developing new marketing initiatives and a brand name for the Orange Region," Mr Kucera said.
Minister's office: 9213 7000