Talking Tourism

Supersized Sherrin celebrates WA’s AFL Grand Final

A supersized Sherrin football banner unveiled today at Perth’s Matagarup Bridge is part of a range of Tourism WA-supported 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final activities to add excitement to the city and support tourism operators. Footy fans snapping a selfie at the site will be able to add special quokka AFL GIFs to their posts on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat, created by Tourism WA’s social media team. A dedicated AFL Grand Final page on the consumer website lists Perth CBD Grand Final activities as well as hospitality businesses and venues showing the game and hosting celebrations. Tourism WA has also supported a social media campaign to target South Australia, the Northern Territory, Tasmania and regional WA to promote and keep Perth front of mind during the Grand Final hype. AFLW star Abbey Holmes, in Perth to commentate the event, will also create content to promote Perth’s attractions. Read about all these activities and more on our corporate website.

Optus Stadium precinct promoted as year-round tourism experience

Tourism WA’s Content Team has secured travel media coverage to further promote Perth’s hosting of the 2021 Toyota AFL Grand Final at Optus Stadium. The article in Escape highlights things to do and where to stay near Optus Stadium, showcasing the precinct as a year-round tourism experience that enhances Perth’s reputation as a must-do AFL or event experience. Tourism and hospitality operators profiled include Crown Perth, The Camfield, HALO and Matagarup Zip+Climb. Escape online has more than half a million unique monthly viewers across Australia with an average story audience of 12,075. Read the article here.

Play on in Perth incentive a sell-out success

An initiative by Destination Perth and the Tourism Council of WA to support tour and experience providers in the Destination Perth region over the AFL Grand Final long weekend has been a sell-out success. The promotion, which launched on September 6 through the WA Visitor Centre, offered 50 per cent off participating tours and attractions including whale watching experiences, boat cruises, kayaking adventures, Segway tours, Rottnest ferries as well as walking and bike tours in Perth over the long weekend. An enthusiastic response saw the total voucher allocation of $40,000 snapped up in less than two weeks. The promotion is expected to provide a boost of more than $80,000 to Perth tour and experience providers.

Tourism WA project officer takes out top award

We are thrilled to announce Tourism WA project officer Amber Ugle-Hayward, has been awarded Trainee of the Year at the WA Training Awards for 2021. After graduating from the Public Sector Commission's Solid Future’s Aboriginal Traineeship Program, Amber kick-started her career at the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage before joining us here at Tourism WA, working on Tourism WA’s Jina: Western Australian Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2021-2025 (Jina plan). Nani Creative’s Kevin Wilson, a successful graduate of TAFE’s Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design, took out the highly contested WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year award. Kevin did the graphic design elements of Tourism WA’s Jina Plan, as well as the striking whale shark artwork that takes pride of place in Tourism WA’s foyer and working on the design of the department’s Reconciliation Action Plan. Visit the Department of Training and Workforce Development website to read more about the awards.

Spring discounts on Rottnest tours and experiences

Rottnest’s business community has banded together to fund up to 50 per cent off selected guided tours and experiences this spring. Luxury cruises, Segway and e-bike tours, joy flights and skydiving as well as boat and bus tours are available to book and experience for the remainder of September and October. Bookings can be made direct with participating operators - Rottnest Cruises, Segway Tours WA, Rottnest Express, Rottnest Air Taxi, Skydive Geronimo, ADAMS Rottnest, and Paul's ECO E-Bike Tours. Adult day visitors to the Island who book a tour during the offer period will also get free Island admission. For more information, visit the Rottnest Island website.

EOI to activate Mandurah's city centre

The City of Mandurah is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) from commercial businesses and community organisations to activate the spaces around its waterways, on the doorstep of the city centre. A range of water and land-based recreational activities take place in the area throughout summer including kayaking, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding, as well as sporting activities and recreational equipment hire. The city centre is also the hub for a summer events program which includes the Mandurah Crab Fest. Expressions of interest close Thursday September 30. Visit the City of Mandurah website for more information or contact the city on 9550 3777.

Hong Kong hotel creates WA virtual vacation

Tourism WA has been keeping WA front of mind as a destination for future travel through a WA-themed vacation experience in partnership with Hyatt Centre Victoria Hotel, Hong Kong. The initiative saw designated areas ‘themed’ with WA experiences, produce, suggested itineraries and family friendly activities for two months from the end of May. Tourism WA also collaborated with key influencers and major media platforms to create digital content for initiatives which resulted in more than 504 rooms sold and over 3.17 million reaches on social media. Hong Kong remains one of Tourism WA’s key priority markets. In 2019, WA attracted more than 32,000 visitors from Hong Kong who spent more than $92 million.

UK in-person trade events starting to return

Trade events in the UK are increasingly returning to in-person events and Tourism WA’s UK team is making sure WA is well-represented at them. A recent agency roadshow by Travel Gossip UK, saw the team exhibit the attractions of the State to around 50 luxury travel agents and operators. Travel Gossip UK reaches more than 23,000 travel agents across the UK. The team also exhibited at Taste of PATA, to educate and give agents a ‘taste’ of what destinations in the Pacific Asia region have to offer. Around180 agents attended, including agencies already working with WA and those keen to learn more. WA hosted an agent photo competition in partnership with other Australian state tourism organisations, which encouraged social media posts and further inspiration and destination awareness among the agents.