❓ The Minister for Tourism outlines the government's efforts to grow tourism through direct flights and events, while criticising the opposition's tourism spokesperson's views on forestry and whaling.
AnsweredQoN 817Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
TOURISM — DIRECT FLIGHTS
817. Ms E.J. KELSBIE to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to build a strong, sustainable tourism industry in Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on this government's efforts to grow tourism
to Western Australia, including by securing more direct flights?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether she is aware of any alternative positions on
promoting Western Australia's tourism attractions?
817. Ms E.J. KELSBIE to the Minister for Tourism:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's
efforts to build a strong, sustainable tourism industry in Western Australia.
(1) Can the
minister update the house on this government's efforts to grow tourism
to Western Australia, including by securing more direct flights?
(2) Can the
minister advise the house whether she is aware of any alternative positions on
promoting Western Australia's tourism attractions?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) I
thank the member for that question and, of course, she is a big supporter of
tourism throughout the south west and the great southern. Creating further
tourism opportunities and growing our tourism industry is a key goal of this
government. I am following on from the excellent work of the former Minister
for Tourism and the very bad work of the previous, previous Minister for
Tourism, who unfortunately is not here to defend himself! When he was tourism
minister, the borders were shut and he did not allow any tourists into the
state. A key part of our tourism program is creating new direct links. Last
week, we saw the recommencement of the direct link into Tokyo. We heard the
announcement of the new Perth to Paris flight,
on top of the Perth to Rome and Perth to London flights. We will also see the
first direct flights into Vietnam,
which will commence very soon in December. There is also the new links with
Batik Air Malaysia through South-East Asia and also over into New
Zealand. A lot of work has been happening.
Events
are another key part of our tourism strategy. Today, the WWE tickets went on
sale. I have not heard exactly how many have been sold but I think there
were 50 000 pre-registrations from 80 countries around the world. I expect to
get some feedback later this evening on how successful it was.
I
know the Minister for Environment is going to be very keen on this; part of our
strategy to support tourism is also making sure we support our
nature-based attractions, whether it be enjoying our flora and fauna across the
state. I know the Minister for Environment is particularly excited by those
types of initiatives. That is why I am a bit surprised about the opposition's
choice for the new opposition spokesperson for tourism, Hon Louise Kingston,
the new Nationals WA member.
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I had a quick read of her inaugural
speech. That is why I find her quite a surprising choice for the opposition spokesperson for tourism. Most
recently, the south west was granted a very iconic award of being the fastest growing tourism area across the nation. The old-growth forests and
parks and recreation are a key part of that. What does the opposition
spokesperson for tourism think about forests? She thinks we should cut them
down. There is also the incredible
experience of whale watching in Albany. In Albany, we have the beautiful whale
museum , which I know the member has a strong history with. Never would I
have thought that the opposition spokesperson for tourism's key policy
would be to turn the museum into an active whaling station again!
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I do not
think that would be good for the tourism sector. Cutting down the trees and
supporting whaling were the opposition spokesperson's policies for
tourism. I am looking forward to seeing how she promotes those types of
activities to the rest of the world. On our side, of course we support
retaining our old-growth forests and making sure we are whale watching and not
whale hunting. That is our approach to tourism in the state. Our approach has seen places throughout the south west
and great southern thrive. We are seeing more and more tourists from
around the world, around the nation and around Western Australia enjoying our
backyard and our beautiful natural attractions.
thank the member for that question and, of course, she is a big supporter of
tourism throughout the south west and the great southern. Creating further
tourism opportunities and growing our tourism industry is a key goal of this
government. I am following on from the excellent work of the former Minister
for Tourism and the very bad work of the previous, previous Minister for
Tourism, who unfortunately is not here to defend himself! When he was tourism
minister, the borders were shut and he did not allow any tourists into the
state. A key part of our tourism program is creating new direct links. Last
week, we saw the recommencement of the direct link into Tokyo. We heard the
announcement of the new Perth to Paris flight,
on top of the Perth to Rome and Perth to London flights. We will also see the
first direct flights into Vietnam,
which will commence very soon in December. There is also the new links with
Batik Air Malaysia through South-East Asia and also over into New
Zealand. A lot of work has been happening.
Events
are another key part of our tourism strategy. Today, the WWE tickets went on
sale. I have not heard exactly how many have been sold but I think there
were 50 000 pre-registrations from 80 countries around the world. I expect to
get some feedback later this evening on how successful it was.
I
know the Minister for Environment is going to be very keen on this; part of our
strategy to support tourism is also making sure we support our
nature-based attractions, whether it be enjoying our flora and fauna across the
state. I know the Minister for Environment is particularly excited by those
types of initiatives. That is why I am a bit surprised about the opposition's
choice for the new opposition spokesperson for tourism, Hon Louise Kingston,
the new Nationals WA member.
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I had a quick read of her inaugural
speech. That is why I find her quite a surprising choice for the opposition spokesperson for tourism. Most
recently, the south west was granted a very iconic award of being the fastest growing tourism area across the nation. The old-growth forests and
parks and recreation are a key part of that. What does the opposition
spokesperson for tourism think about forests? She thinks we should cut them
down. There is also the incredible
experience of whale watching in Albany. In Albany, we have the beautiful whale
museum , which I know the member has a strong history with. Never would I
have thought that the opposition spokesperson for tourism's key policy
would be to turn the museum into an active whaling station again!
Several members interjected.
Ms R. SAFFIOTI : I do not
think that would be good for the tourism sector. Cutting down the trees and
supporting whaling were the opposition spokesperson's policies for
tourism. I am looking forward to seeing how she promotes those types of
activities to the rest of the world. On our side, of course we support
retaining our old-growth forests and making sure we are whale watching and not
whale hunting. That is our approach to tourism in the state. Our approach has seen places throughout the south west
and great southern thrive. We are seeing more and more tourists from
around the world, around the nation and around Western Australia enjoying our
backyard and our beautiful natural attractions.
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