Data released by Tourism Council WA today to celebrate World Tourism Day shows Western Australians overwhelmingly support tourism as important to the State’s economy.
A recent survey of Western Australians revealed 92 per cent agreed tourism was important to the State’s economy. According to Tourism Research Australia, the State’s tourism industry was worth $8.7 billion in 2021-22 and generated a billion dollars in State taxes, in addition to GST revenue.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said a sustainable tourism industry would drive job generation and allow the sector to continue to grow the State’s economy.
“WA’s tourism industry generated 89,100 full-time equivalent jobs in 2021-22, but we should strive to get back to the 2016 high point of 119,000 full-time equivalent jobs,” Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said the local tourism industry would benefit from developing accessible and sustainable tourism products and experiences.
“Tourism is a vital industry for the future of Western Australia, particularly for regional communities. We should work towards bringing back visitors to WA through direct air routes, which would lead to job generation,” Mr Hall said.
“We want to provide great experiences for Western Australians and share our love for WA, as businesses are motivated to show off our towns and cultural heritage.”
Western Australians’ support for tourism was evaluated by Tourism Council WA’s Travellers’ Intentions Survey, which queried 800 WA residents on their travel intentions and feelings towards the local tourism industry.
World Tourism Day is an initiative of the United Nation World Tourism Organisation and is celebrated on September 27 each year, and this year focused on sustainable tourism.
