Tourism Declines in Western Australia

The Australian Hotels Association (WA) is calling on more work to be done to revive tourism in Western Australia after data from the latest International Visitor Survey shows that spending has declined by -0.2 per cent in the state over the last year, while that number grew by 14.2 per cent on average across the country.

“The majority of Australia is benefiting from an increase in visitor spending and WA is failing to grow,” AHA (WA) CEO, Bradley Woods said.

According to the data, fewer working holiday makers are visiting the state (-11.3 per cent) and business travellers are spending fewer nights in the state (-5.7 per cent).

“WA’s tourism sector is poised for growth, and both the WA and federal governments need to place more emphasis on travel opportunities to the west,” Mr Woods added.

Despite the fact that the national average growth rate of international visitors to Australia grew by 10.3 per cent, WA was left behind at 6.3 per cent.

“WA’s disproportionate growth must be addressed by Tourism Australia and its international marketing campaigns, which are delivering a massive windfall for the east coast of Australia.”

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