Tourism WA Industry Update presentations
At the Tourism WA Industry Update, attendees will hear from a panel of representatives including DBCA Coordinator Tourism and Concessions, Jacinta Overman, who will share an update on DBCA’s new nature-based tourism team; Perth Airport Chief Executive Officer Jason Waters, who will share the latest developments on the historic $5 billion investment deal with Qantas for new airport infrastructure; and DLGSC Director General Lanie Chopping, who will share insights on DLGSC’s work on the Outdoor Adventure Tourism Package and the landmark Perth Film Studios. Tourism WA Executive Director Marketing Melissa Forbes will provide an update on Tourism WA domestic marketing campaigns. Registrations for online and in-person attendance close Friday, 13 September. Register here.

WTTC Global Summit session recordings access
Sessions and presentations taking place across the 2024 World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit will be recorded and made available online on-demand, and free of charge for the entire WA tourism industry. Set to begin on 8 October, the 2024 WTTC Council Global Summit will bring global leaders and industry decision makers to Perth for the event’s first time in Australia. Be sure to check out the recorded sessions and events once the conference kicks off here. 

Applications for the Regional Event Scheme close soon
A reminder to all regional event holders that applications are closing soon for the 2025-26 Regional Event Scheme (RES). This annual Tourism WA scheme supports smaller and developing regional events by providing funding between $5,000 and $40,000. This round, up to $1 million is available to support regional WA events, including $150,000 of dedicated funding for Aboriginal events through the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES), which supports events that showcase Aboriginal culture and experiences. Applications close at 5pm AWST on Friday, 20 September 2024. Read more here.

Exmouth wins Gold at National Top Tourism Town Awards 
Western Australia was celebrated at the Australian Top Tourism Town Awards in Canberra on Tuesday, with Exmouth taking out the Gold in the Small Tourism Town award category. Western Australian Graeme Dearle of Pemberton Discovery Tours was also awarded Silver in the Australian Top Tour Guide category. The Australian Top Tourism Town Awards showcase and celebrate the diversity of regional destinations all over the country. Read more here. 

Destination Perth website wins Gold
Destination Perth has won Gold in the 2024 dotCOMM Awards in the Travel Website category, following their new website launch. This prestigious international award recognises excellence in web creativity and digital communication, highlighting the innovation and quality behind Destination Perth's recently launched website. As the Regional Tourism Organisation for Perth and the surrounding areas, Destination Perth’s new website serves as a comprehensive guide for travellers, detailing places to stay, events, and things to do across the Perth metropolitan region and nearby destinations like the Swan Valley, Fremantle and Rottnest Island. The user-friendly home page is specifically designed to showcase each unique destination, ensuring visitors can easily explore and plan their perfect getaway. Read more here. 

New team to support WA national park tourism
The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions is supporting nature-based tourism in WA through the creation of a new tourism-focused division within the agency. The new division will be charged with driving new commercial tourism projects in national parks. To support the division, DBCA will also establish a Nature-based Tourism Industry Reference Group, with representatives from Tourism Council WA, tourism operators and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI). Read more here.

AdventureConnect – Perth Australia 2024
Registrations are now open for AdventureConnect 2024, a free networking event and forum for Perth’s adventure community. Presented by Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), the event is being held at the Perth Royal Hotel on 3 October. The ATTA community is made up of individual guides, tour operators, accommodation providers, travel advisors, tourism boards, destination marketing and management organisations, and travel media. Find out more here. 

Tourism WA China hosts successful event in Chongqing
The Tourism WA team in China recently hosted a successful consumer event in Chongqing to influence the Chinese luxury travel market and attract high-yield Chinese travellers to Western Australia. The event, organised by Tourism WA and trade partner Cheetah Tour, featured a WA sharing session and a photography show highlighting the stunning landscapes, wildlife and unique experiences in WA. Tourism WA presented alongside a Chinese couple who shared their photos and an itinerary, having visited WA three times in eight years, taking thousands of photos of their travels across all WA five regions. The event was attended by 30 high-yield travellers, as well as a radio media representative. Find out more about the China market here. 

WA promoted in Vietnam during roadshow event 
Tourism WA recently travelled to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam to participate in a roadshow event over 3 – 7 September. This event allowed Tourism WA to connect with key industry buyers and highlight Western Australia to this emerging market, drawing on the direct connections with Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines which have enhanced the potential for increased travel from Vietnam to WA. Find out more about our international markets here. 

Kiwis encouraged to discover the wonders of Western Australia 
Tourism WA has launched a new two-week campaign with Helloworld NZ to increase visitation from New Zealand to Western Australia. The campaign promotes a range of holiday packages throughout WA including city stays, tours, gourmet getaways, self-drive, wellness and fly, stay and cruise. The campaign is being promoted through press, digital display, paid social and video on-demand, as well as Helloworld’s owned channels including in-store displays across Helloworld retail stories, social media, trade and consumer e-newsletters through wide reaching broker network in NZ. Find out more here. 

Enrich your workplace with international students
Tourism and hospitality operators are invited to join Tourism WA at StudyPerth’s International Student Jobs Fair on Wednesday, 16 October at the North Metro TAFE East Perth campus. This event is free to register and a great way for operators to find their summer vacation workforce. The event will highlight the benefits of working with international students, including the fresh ideas and creative solutions they bring to the workplace with different cultural backgrounds and experiences, plus proficiencies in other languages (a great asset for operators working with international customers). Register here.

Interstate Marketing Campaign for Tourism Businesses Webinar 
Join Tourism Council WA’s webinar at 2pm on September 18 to hear from Tourism WA about how Perth and regional tourism businesses can get involved in a new Domestic Marketing campaign. The session will discuss opportunities for bookings and referrals to tourism businesses, and tools and assets available to your business to leverage the campaign. The webinar will also cover on sale details and travel dates, partners, media and trade involved in delivering the campaign and Dream Collective updates. Read more here. 

Tourism Council WA AGM & Network@Night Registrations Open
The Tourism Council WA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on October 15 and will be followed by a networking event for tourism businesses to connect with new people and industry colleagues, as well as meet Tourism Council WA's preferred suppliers and partners. Guests can register for just the AGM, the Network@Night event, or both. Please note, only current financial members of Tourism Council WA can attend the AGM. Read more and register here.  

World Tourism Day with WITH WA
The team at Women in Tourism and Hospitality WA (WITH WA) are inviting operators to celebrate World Tourism Day with the organisation. WITH WA supports, assists and provides connections for women working in the tourism and hospitality industry in Western Australia. Industry colleagues and friends are invited to come together with WITH WA at Kaarta Koomba / Kings Park and hear from Chair, Suzy Parravicini while enjoying canapes and refreshments from Frasers. The event will be held on 27 September at 5:30pm – 8:30pm. More information and tickets here.