March 28, 2018 New figures show further decline in WA tourism numbers The release today of figures showing a drop in the number and value of interstate tourists in Western Australia is more disastrous news for the State’s tourism sector, according to Shadow Tourism Minister Libby Mettam. Ms Mettam said Tourism Research Australia’s International and National Visitor Surveys were report cards on each State’s tourism portfolio performance and the latest National Visitor Survey was all bad news for WA. “Like the international visitor spend, which slumped by 5 per cent last year, these latest figures show the total value of spending by interstate visitors to WA declined by 12 per cent,” Ms Mettam said. “Added to this, the number of interstate visitors coming to WA has dropped by more than 5 per cent and the total number of nights spent in the WA by interstate visitors has dropped by 11 per cent. “The McGowan Government’s big effort in tourism last year was its $2 million Visiting Friends and Relatives Campaign, which was expected to have immediate cut through but didn’t deliver, given figures show nights spent in hotel-style accommodation or at a friend or relative’s property have dropped 2 per cent and 12 per cent respectively. “The Minister for Tourism told Parliament last week visitors had increased by 52,417, clearly he’s using some creativity with his figures.” Ms Mettam said the Government had reduced the tourism portfolio to a bit part in a mega department, committed no extra funding and gutted the executive. “There is significant concern within the tourism sector at the lack of marketing leadership in Tourism WA and these figures legitimise those concerns,” Ms Mettam said. “One thing is strikingly clear from looking at the Two Year Tourism Strategy released by the State Government last week; promoting and procuring events for WA cannot happen without investment in a dedicated marketing team. “On the back of investment by the former Government we now have all of the fundamentals; a good supply of hotel rooms, a world-class stadium, a transformed Elizabeth Quay, an upgraded airport and a reconnected city centre with Yagan Square at its heart but there is a limit to the value of any tourism product if no-one knows about it. “The McGowan Government needs to rethink its decision to abolish a standalone tourism department with a specialised, expert CEO and marketing team.” Media Contact |
