❓ Question addresses the Cook Labor government's tourism initiatives (EverNow, Drive the Dream) and their impact on jobs and businesses, particularly in regional WA. The Minister's answer highlights record tourism spending and specific events driving growth.
AnsweredQoN 717Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM —
ECONOMIC IMPACT — REGIONS
717. Ms R.S. STEPHENS to the Minister for Tourism:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's successful growth of the Western Australian
tourism sector. Can the minister advise the house how this government's
delivery of the new initiatives such as EverNow and the Drive the Dream
campaign is delivering record levels of success in the WA tourism sector, and
can the minister advise the house what this success means for jobs and
businesses, particularly in regional Western Australia?
ECONOMIC IMPACT — REGIONS
717. Ms R.S. STEPHENS to the Minister for Tourism:
I
refer to the Cook Labor government's successful growth of the Western Australian
tourism sector. Can the minister advise the house how this government's
delivery of the new initiatives such as EverNow and the Drive the Dream
campaign is delivering record levels of success in the WA tourism sector, and
can the minister advise the house what this success means for jobs and
businesses, particularly in regional Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Albany for
that question. Of course, the growth in tourism and the tourism industry is a key part of our plan to diversify the state
economy. It creates jobs and opportunities not only in the city, but
predominantly in regional WA. Growing the tourism sector is a key
priority to help create jobs and opportunities for young people, people around
the state, and, of course, people living in our regional towns. A number of
initiatives have been announced over the past couple of weeks. Importantly, we
have also seen some statistics come through to show the strength of the tourism
economy. In 2022, visitors to our state spent $14 billion. That is a record
amount, and very much points to the fact that tourism is back in WA and is
growing rapidly. Over the past couple of weeks, we have announced and held a number
of key events. I first point to EverNow, which completed on Monday evening. This event was created by the team behind the Perth
Festival. It started under the stewardship of the former Minister for
Tourism, the now Premier, and it proved to be very successful. Of course, the
previous former Minister for Tourism —
Mr D.A. Templeman : One of
the most successful in the history of WA!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : When the
member for Mandurah was Minister for Tourism, we saw no visitors coming into
the state. He was so bad, he actually locked the borders!
EverNow
saw 70 000 people enjoy the Fire Gardens , and even more people enjoyed
the spectacular The Trees Speak event in Kings Park. It was a celebration
of Aboriginal culture, a celebration of WA, and next year it will get bigger
and better. We saw the Western Australian public get right behind it.
Another key announcement
is that world wrestling is coming to Perth, and I know that the member for
Victoria Park is very excited. This premium live event is one of only 12
that will be happening next year and the only one that will be in Australia. It
is a bit more sophisticated than the old Mario Milano, but it really is an
incredible event that will see thousands of people travel from interstate and
overseas and will be a major boost to our tourism industry.
Of course, another key announcement was that we have enlisted
WA hero and very proud Western Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the Drive the
Dream campaign. He is one of the best known Western Australians in the world
and he is very much loved and respected throughout not only Australia, but also
key markets such as Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America. These are very
exciting times. We continue to work and make sure particularly our regional
destinations continue to be a focus. I know that other ministers are promoting
regional events and supporting activities across the state. As I said, this is
all about creating jobs, new experiences and opportunities for Western Australians.
that question. Of course, the growth in tourism and the tourism industry is a key part of our plan to diversify the state
economy. It creates jobs and opportunities not only in the city, but
predominantly in regional WA. Growing the tourism sector is a key
priority to help create jobs and opportunities for young people, people around
the state, and, of course, people living in our regional towns. A number of
initiatives have been announced over the past couple of weeks. Importantly, we
have also seen some statistics come through to show the strength of the tourism
economy. In 2022, visitors to our state spent $14 billion. That is a record
amount, and very much points to the fact that tourism is back in WA and is
growing rapidly. Over the past couple of weeks, we have announced and held a number
of key events. I first point to EverNow, which completed on Monday evening. This event was created by the team behind the Perth
Festival. It started under the stewardship of the former Minister for
Tourism, the now Premier, and it proved to be very successful. Of course, the
previous former Minister for Tourism —
Mr D.A. Templeman : One of
the most successful in the history of WA!
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : When the
member for Mandurah was Minister for Tourism, we saw no visitors coming into
the state. He was so bad, he actually locked the borders!
EverNow
saw 70 000 people enjoy the Fire Gardens , and even more people enjoyed
the spectacular The Trees Speak event in Kings Park. It was a celebration
of Aboriginal culture, a celebration of WA, and next year it will get bigger
and better. We saw the Western Australian public get right behind it.
Another key announcement
is that world wrestling is coming to Perth, and I know that the member for
Victoria Park is very excited. This premium live event is one of only 12
that will be happening next year and the only one that will be in Australia. It
is a bit more sophisticated than the old Mario Milano, but it really is an
incredible event that will see thousands of people travel from interstate and
overseas and will be a major boost to our tourism industry.
Of course, another key announcement was that we have enlisted
WA hero and very proud Western Australian Daniel Ricciardo in the Drive the
Dream campaign. He is one of the best known Western Australians in the world
and he is very much loved and respected throughout not only Australia, but also
key markets such as Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America. These are very
exciting times. We continue to work and make sure particularly our regional
destinations continue to be a focus. I know that other ministers are promoting
regional events and supporting activities across the state. As I said, this is
all about creating jobs, new experiences and opportunities for Western Australians.
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