❓ Question regarding the benefits of direct flights between Perth and Japan secured by the McGowan government, highlighting the positive impact on WA's tourism industry.
AnsweredQoN 9Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH–JAPAN DIRECT
FLIGHTS
9. Mr J.N. CAREY to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the significant work
undertaken by the McGowan Labor government in securing direct flights between
Perth and Japan.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house why this deal is a massive win for Western Australia's
tourism industry?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this will build on the work that the government
has already undertaken to grow the number of visitors to Western Australia?
FLIGHTS
9. Mr J.N. CAREY to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the significant work
undertaken by the McGowan Labor government in securing direct flights between
Perth and Japan.
(1) Can the
minister outline to the house why this deal is a massive win for Western Australia's
tourism industry?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house how this will build on the work that the government
has already undertaken to grow the number of visitors to Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for Perth for his
question and for rolling up his sleeves on behalf of the Western Australian
tourism industry—putting his shoulder to the wheel as he does.
(1)–(2) It
is, indeed, a massive boost and boon for the tourism industry of Western Australia
to regain a direct connection between Tokyo and Perth. We have not had a direct
flight—I know the member is aware of this—since 2011, when
Qantas stopped flying. In 2011 we lost the direct flight and there was no
subsequent effort to regain it. I know that the last time a tourism minister of
the former government visited Japan was 2012. It was in office for five more
years and did nothing.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr P. PAPALIA : It made no
effort at all to regain that direct connection, which is vital. Japan is a crucial
and valuable market. It is currently our ninth biggest market for visitors and
29 000 or so Japanese come here now indirectly. All Nippon Airways is a big
win. It is one of the best airlines in the world. It is absolutely trusted by
the Japanese market and everyone around the world. It has chosen Perth, Western
Australia as its second destination in Australia. When we first went there—I
went there in October 2017 and the Premier went there in November—ANA
was not even considering Western Australia. We were not on its radar. There had
been no effort by the previous government to get us on ANA's radar.
Several members interjected.
Mr P. PAPALIA : There had not!
The previous government had not even met with ANA. It had not even met an ANA
executive. In that very short time frame—bearing in mind that it took
New South Wales four years to get a new airline to fly from India—in
the space of less than two years, we have got ANA to fly to Perth seven days a week
with a 787 Dreamliner for $861. I am worried, as the Premier indicated at a meeting
in the party room this morning, that it may be so enticing to Western Australians
that many of them will be going that way. However, I am sure that it will be
just as enticing for Japanese visitors to come to Western Australia. The flights
will begin in time for the wildflower season, the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and
the peak season in Australia for Japanese visitors. Japanese retirees are
cashed up and have time on their hands. They trust their airline and are
looking for a safe destination.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr P. PAPALIA : They count Western
Australia as a safe destination. It is very attractive now that we have a direct
flight. I am very proud of the McGowan government's efforts to regain
that direct connection between Tokyo and Perth.
question and for rolling up his sleeves on behalf of the Western Australian
tourism industry—putting his shoulder to the wheel as he does.
(1)–(2) It
is, indeed, a massive boost and boon for the tourism industry of Western Australia
to regain a direct connection between Tokyo and Perth. We have not had a direct
flight—I know the member is aware of this—since 2011, when
Qantas stopped flying. In 2011 we lost the direct flight and there was no
subsequent effort to regain it. I know that the last time a tourism minister of
the former government visited Japan was 2012. It was in office for five more
years and did nothing.
Mr D.C. Nalder interjected.
The SPEAKER : Member for
Bateman!
Mr P. PAPALIA : It made no
effort at all to regain that direct connection, which is vital. Japan is a crucial
and valuable market. It is currently our ninth biggest market for visitors and
29 000 or so Japanese come here now indirectly. All Nippon Airways is a big
win. It is one of the best airlines in the world. It is absolutely trusted by
the Japanese market and everyone around the world. It has chosen Perth, Western
Australia as its second destination in Australia. When we first went there—I
went there in October 2017 and the Premier went there in November—ANA
was not even considering Western Australia. We were not on its radar. There had
been no effort by the previous government to get us on ANA's radar.
Several members interjected.
Mr P. PAPALIA : There had not!
The previous government had not even met with ANA. It had not even met an ANA
executive. In that very short time frame—bearing in mind that it took
New South Wales four years to get a new airline to fly from India—in
the space of less than two years, we have got ANA to fly to Perth seven days a week
with a 787 Dreamliner for $861. I am worried, as the Premier indicated at a meeting
in the party room this morning, that it may be so enticing to Western Australians
that many of them will be going that way. However, I am sure that it will be
just as enticing for Japanese visitors to come to Western Australia. The flights
will begin in time for the wildflower season, the Rugby World Cup in Japan, and
the peak season in Australia for Japanese visitors. Japanese retirees are
cashed up and have time on their hands. They trust their airline and are
looking for a safe destination.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Members!
Mr P. PAPALIA : They count Western
Australia as a safe destination. It is very attractive now that we have a direct
flight. I am very proud of the McGowan government's efforts to regain
that direct connection between Tokyo and Perth.
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