The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed the announcement by the WA State Government to commit major funding commitments to events tourism in the State’s South West region.
AHA(WA) CEO, Bradley Woods, said the WA Liberal National Government has underlined its commitment to regional Western Australia and the State’s tourism industry by allocating $40 million over the next four years to developing major events in regions such as the South West, and a further $20 million to attracting new events to Perth.
“This budget has delivered for WA with a commitment of an extra $60 million over the next four years for events tourism alone and a new philosophy that recognises the importance of events to the State,” Woods said.
“Tourism Minister Kim Hames has provided Eventscorp and Tourism WA with the financial resources to attract and develop major events to Western Australia and ensure we have a full and rich calendar of events regardless of where you visit in the State.”
Woods said the State Government’s commitment to increasing funding in home-grown and iconic events in the South West including the Busselton Festival of Triathlon, Busselton Jetty Swim, Cinefest Oz, Geographe Bay Race Week, Flourish Margaret River, the Margaret River Wine Region Festival, Quit Forrest Rally, the Albany Classic Motor Event and Mt Barker Grapes and Gallops will create a unique identity for the region when it comes to events.
“We have an opportunity to carve out our own unique niche in the world of events, while driving domestic and international visitation into the South West,” he said.
“Ultimately that will create new employment, more involvement in the tourism industry and a real sense of pride in what the South West is showcasing to visitors.”
