October 29, 2018 New bus service needs backing with events and marketing Shadow Minister for Tourism has welcomed the new Swan Valley hop-on, hop-off bus service but said the State Government needed to commit to initiatives the long-term sustainability of the service. “I think it’s a great initiative as long as the Government is prepared to back it up with the required investment in event development, marketing and growing the number of people visiting the Swan Valley,” Ms Mettam said. “More than a year ago Tourism Minister Paul Papalia promised a ‘co-ordinated and sustained tourism strategy’ for the Swan Valley but we have yet to see the it, which makes it hard to see how this initiative fits within the strategy. “It would not be a good look if this service lasted only six months, or for one summer, because it wasn’t backed up with initiatives to attract more visitors to the Swan Valley. “The Swan Valley was the first settlement and has the oldest wine region in the State and it is important to leverage this heritage value and highlight the valley’s place as the historical centre of Western Australia.” Ms Mettam said increasing total visitor number to WA was important in underpinning any local tourism initiatives. “While the rest of Australia has been experiencing a tourism boom, WA has gone backwards in the past two years under the McGowan Government,” she said “WA is more connected than it has ever been, with direct flights from around the globe landing on the doorstep of the Swan Valley but if this Government cannot encourage tourists to get on those flights they are of no value.” Media Contacts: |
