❓ The Minister for Tourism outlines the economic and social benefits of hosting major events like the FIFA Women's World Cup, including increased tourism, inspiration for young women, and infrastructure upgrades. The government is investing in facilities and programs to maximise the event's legacy.
AnsweredQoN 95Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM — MAJOR EVENTS
95. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts to attract major events to Western Australia.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house how the
facilitation of major events in Western Australia, such as the upcoming
FIFA Women's World Cup, will provide both economic and social benefits
for Western Australians?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house what measures this government is taking to prepare
for these events, as well as their legacy?
95. Ms M.M. QUIRK to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's efforts to attract major events to Western Australia.
(1) Can the minister outline to the house how the
facilitation of major events in Western Australia, such as the upcoming
FIFA Women's World Cup, will provide both economic and social benefits
for Western Australians?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house what measures this government is taking to prepare
for these events, as well as their legacy?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) After the Minister
for Housing's last effort, I feel intimidated! It is a hard act to
follow.
The SPEAKER : I am sure you
will do your best.
Mr R.H. COOK : I would like
to thank the member for Landsdale for the question. It is a very important one.
In acknowledging her, can I also acknowledge
her advocacy on behalf of the community. The mighty Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex has been announced as the host
training ground for the Denmark international side for the 2023 FIFA
Women's World Cup. I think she has done a great job in continuing to
galvanise the community and create a great sense of belonging with that team.
I
recently spoke about the fact that Western Australia is becoming one of the
great event destinations of South-East Asia. The other weekend, we
obviously had the UFC 284. That not only had a huge impact in elevating Western Australia and Perth in the eyes of the
global audience, but also resulted in a 30 per cent jump in the number of beds booked, adding an extra $2.3 million in bookings for our hotels on that
weekend alone. That is a huge outcome. In a time of global economic uncertainty
and an extremely competitive tourism market, now more than ever we have to continue to lift our game and make
sure that we take every opportunity to promote Western Australia through
our tourism strategy.
The 2023 FIFA Women's World
Cup is going to be another huge event for Western Australia. I am particularly
excited about it because it not only is a great tourism outcome and will
continue to elevate Western Australia in the eyes of our global audience, but
also has the potential to inspire young women and girls to the global game. The
FIFA Women's World Cup is the largest single female sporting event in
the world. In 2023, Australia and New Zealand will have the honour of hosting
this major event. Perth will host five matches at the Perth rectangular stadium
between 22 July and 3 August. Denmark, the People's Republic of China,
the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Jamaica,
Morocco and Colombia will all showcase their sporting prowess here in Western Australia.
The tournament will also generate significant international and domestic
media coverage and literally be watched by up to two billion fans worldwide,
presenting a huge opportunity to showcase Western Australia. Obviously, it will
inject millions of dollars into the Western Australian
hospitality and tourism industry as people come to Western Australia to
watch these great events.
To plan for this unique opportunity, the state government has
established a multiple cross-government working group, led by Tourism WA. Plans are progressing well and so is the sale
of tickets. We want to continue to see how we can promote the games over
the next 100 days or so, but in particular make sure that we take the
opportunity to celebrate the tournament through the Unity Pitch activation,
trophy tour and FIFA Fan Festival.
The government's WA
recovery plan committed $2.6 million to improving the Olympic Kingsway Sports
Club's infrastructure and floodlights, making sure that the visiting
athletes will have world-class facilities and amenities, which will be enjoyed
by local communities in future years. In particular, the upgrades that have
been made to the rectangular stadium will stand the square-field sports in
great stead in the future. This is a great legacy contribution.
In November last year, the Minister
for Sport and Recreation, the member for Bicton and I met with the leaders of the Perth-based advocacy group Gaining Ground,
which runs a mental health and wellbeing program that empowers women and
girls to take up leadership positions in football. That organisation impressed
me with the fact that we need more women and
girls in leadership roles: you cannot be what you cannot see. We stand to make
a huge legacy change in relation to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
This will be an important tournament for Western Australia. It will not just be
a legacy project for sporting facilities and for the world game here in
Australia. It will not just be a great opportunity to showcase Western Australia
and Perth in particular as part of this global event. It will be an opportunity
not just for tourism and hospitality businesses to continue to thrive in our
economy, but also to continue to inspire and create a great opportunity for
young women and girls to see just where they can go to when they take on great
sporting roles.
for Housing's last effort, I feel intimidated! It is a hard act to
follow.
The SPEAKER : I am sure you
will do your best.
Mr R.H. COOK : I would like
to thank the member for Landsdale for the question. It is a very important one.
In acknowledging her, can I also acknowledge
her advocacy on behalf of the community. The mighty Kingsway Regional Sporting Complex has been announced as the host
training ground for the Denmark international side for the 2023 FIFA
Women's World Cup. I think she has done a great job in continuing to
galvanise the community and create a great sense of belonging with that team.
I
recently spoke about the fact that Western Australia is becoming one of the
great event destinations of South-East Asia. The other weekend, we
obviously had the UFC 284. That not only had a huge impact in elevating Western Australia and Perth in the eyes of the
global audience, but also resulted in a 30 per cent jump in the number of beds booked, adding an extra $2.3 million in bookings for our hotels on that
weekend alone. That is a huge outcome. In a time of global economic uncertainty
and an extremely competitive tourism market, now more than ever we have to continue to lift our game and make
sure that we take every opportunity to promote Western Australia through
our tourism strategy.
The 2023 FIFA Women's World
Cup is going to be another huge event for Western Australia. I am particularly
excited about it because it not only is a great tourism outcome and will
continue to elevate Western Australia in the eyes of our global audience, but
also has the potential to inspire young women and girls to the global game. The
FIFA Women's World Cup is the largest single female sporting event in
the world. In 2023, Australia and New Zealand will have the honour of hosting
this major event. Perth will host five matches at the Perth rectangular stadium
between 22 July and 3 August. Denmark, the People's Republic of China,
the Republic of Ireland, Canada, Jamaica,
Morocco and Colombia will all showcase their sporting prowess here in Western Australia.
The tournament will also generate significant international and domestic
media coverage and literally be watched by up to two billion fans worldwide,
presenting a huge opportunity to showcase Western Australia. Obviously, it will
inject millions of dollars into the Western Australian
hospitality and tourism industry as people come to Western Australia to
watch these great events.
To plan for this unique opportunity, the state government has
established a multiple cross-government working group, led by Tourism WA. Plans are progressing well and so is the sale
of tickets. We want to continue to see how we can promote the games over
the next 100 days or so, but in particular make sure that we take the
opportunity to celebrate the tournament through the Unity Pitch activation,
trophy tour and FIFA Fan Festival.
The government's WA
recovery plan committed $2.6 million to improving the Olympic Kingsway Sports
Club's infrastructure and floodlights, making sure that the visiting
athletes will have world-class facilities and amenities, which will be enjoyed
by local communities in future years. In particular, the upgrades that have
been made to the rectangular stadium will stand the square-field sports in
great stead in the future. This is a great legacy contribution.
In November last year, the Minister
for Sport and Recreation, the member for Bicton and I met with the leaders of the Perth-based advocacy group Gaining Ground,
which runs a mental health and wellbeing program that empowers women and
girls to take up leadership positions in football. That organisation impressed
me with the fact that we need more women and
girls in leadership roles: you cannot be what you cannot see. We stand to make
a huge legacy change in relation to the FIFA Women's World Cup.
This will be an important tournament for Western Australia. It will not just be
a legacy project for sporting facilities and for the world game here in
Australia. It will not just be a great opportunity to showcase Western Australia
and Perth in particular as part of this global event. It will be an opportunity
not just for tourism and hospitality businesses to continue to thrive in our
economy, but also to continue to inspire and create a great opportunity for
young women and girls to see just where they can go to when they take on great
sporting roles.
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