$37 million to attract more blockbuster events to WA
Today, an additional $36.6 million tourism investment was announced as part of the 2024-25 State Budget. This funding includes an additional $25 million over four years for the Major Events Fund and $3.6 million to establish and deliver a new Metro Events program, which will be centred on iconic homegrown events in the Perth region. Other significant investments in tourism include $180.5 million of improvements for Rottnest Island, the $154 million Outdoor Adventure Tourism package, and $5 million for the B Shed upgrade to further activate the Victoria Quay precinct. Read more here.

Mature workforce campaign launches to showcase tourism careers
Tourism WA has launched a statewide paid print and social media campaign to inspire West Australians, aged 50 and over, to explore an adventurous new career in WA's tourism and hospitality industry. The campaign, supported by Choose Tourism Grant Program funding through Austrade, drives to westernaustralia.jobs, and promotes registration for the Tourism & Hospitality Job Expo, taking place virtually and in Perth on Thursday, 30 May, and in Bunbury on Thursday, 6 June. Industry operators are encouraged to join the Expo to connect with this important cohort. For details, contact FACET admin@facet.asn.au.

Connect with culture in Western Australia
Tourism WA has this week launched a dedicated Aboriginal Experiences campaign, Connect with Culture, which showcases the diversity of Aboriginal-led tours and experiences throughout WA. Brought to life through digital and social advertising, and content partnerships with The Guardian and Get Lost travel magazine, Connect with Culture encourages High Yield Travellers to enrich their visit to Western Australia with authentic Aboriginal tourism experiences. Travellers can discover these experiences on the campaign landing page, developed in partnership with WAITOC. Find out more here. 

Busselton-Margaret River route showcased to east coast agents
Last week, Tourism WA hosted a group of top selling NSW-based travel agents and partners in the Margaret River Region in support of the new direct Sydney to Busselton flight. The famil, in partnership with Jetstar, showcased the best of the region, including pristine beaches, premium food and wine, the stunning coastline along the Cape to Cape, Busselton Jetty, and a didgeridoo cave tour. Operating three days weekly, the five-hour non-stop service is two hours faster than the indirect route. Learn more here. 

Bare Kiwi tours the South West Edge
Tourism WA recently partnered with NZ content creator Kyle Mulinder (Bare Kiwi) and his wife Lisa Barton to raise awareness of the epic South West Edge road trip. One of the hero itineraries featured in the Drive the Dream campaign led by West Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo, Bare Kiwi shared a range of awe-inspiring videos to thousands of followers across social media channels. The itinerary highlights a range of local tours, top beaches, spectacular national parks and the National Anzac Centre, to demonstrate the close ties between Western Australia and New Zealand. See the road trip highlights here. 

G’Day Australia 2024 seller applications are now open
Seller applications are now open for G’Day Australia 2024, to be held from 14-17 October in Perth. This four-day event, delivered by Tourism Australia in partnership with Tourism WA, will follow a workshops and familiarisations format, and is exclusively targeted at Aussie Specialist Agents. The event is designed to showcase extraordinary travel experiences and to equip agents with the expertise and inspiration to sell Australia to key markets. Find out more seller information, including how to apply, here. 

Image credit: Osprey Creative

Malaysia and Singapore Roadshow EOI closing tomorrow
Tomorrow is the last chance for WA tourism businesses to submit an Expression of Interest for the upcoming Tourism WA Malaysia and Singapore Roadshow. Taking place in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Singapore from 21 - 26 July, the roadshow is aimed at tourism businesses interested in gaining a better understanding of the Malaysian and Singaporean market, showcasing their product to key buyers from the leisure and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sectors, and establishing commercial business relationships with Malaysian and Singaporean buyers. Expression of interest registrations close tomorrow, Friday, 10 May at 5pm AWST. Register here.

Western Australia on sale with Helloworld & Viva Holidays
Helloworld and Viva Holidays are inviting travellers to ‘Step into a Dream in Western Australia’, with a four-week campaign running until 30 May. The campaign aims to drive east coast visitors and longer stays with a range of accommodation and touring packages for Perth, the Margaret River Region, Esperance (Kepa Kurl), Ningaloo Reef, Broome (Rubibi) and the Kimberley. The campaign is live across print, TV and radio advertising, paid social, as well as Helloworld and Viva Holidays’ owned channels. Read more here.

Webjet Perth campaign launches targeting east coast
Webjet has launched a four-week Perth sale in partnership with Tourism WA, promoting flights to Perth. Visitors making new flight bookings will also receive a hotel coupon code for accommodation, making it easier for east coast travellers to chase their dream of adventure in WA. The tactical campaign is running until Friday, 31 May and is live across paid social media, digital screens at shopping centres and Webjet’s owned channels. Visit Webjet for more information.  

Step into a Dream with Ignite’s MyHoliday
Ignite’s My Holiday brand has launched a seven-week campaign to drive interstate visitors, in partnership with Tourism WA. The tactical campaign went live last month and is active until Saturday, 15 June, featuring exclusive packages showcasing the bucket-list adventures and aspirational experiences on offer in Western Australia. The campaign is being promoted across print, YouTube, digital and social media, as well as Ignite’s owned channels including, website, search, and email marketing. It is also being promoted through Flight Centre and Global Escapes. The campaign will also be supported by influencer content captured within WA. Read more here.  

Image credit: Aeroture

Swan Valley Tourism Planning Strategy workshop
Tourism WA invites Swan Valley tourism operators to a workshop to learn about the agency’s vision for the future of tourism in the Swan Valley. Tourism WA is supporting the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage in developing a Swan Valley Tourism Planning Strategy, to guide sustainable tourism development and address potential changes to the planning framework to better facilitate tourism outcomes. This workshop will also include sharing recent consumer research and offering insights into the perspectives of visitors. Register here.

Regional Economic Development Grants program open
The seventh round of the Regional Economic Development (RED) Grants program is now open, with a record $10 million funding available this year to support locally-driven projects in regional Western Australia. The initiative has already supported more than 350 regional projects and offers funding for projects that support jobs, expand or diversify industry, and attract new investment to the state's regions, spanning from the Kimberley to the Great Southern. Each Regional Development Commission manages the grant process for its region. Round seven applications close on Wednesday, 26 June. Read more here.

WA Tourism Conference first speaker line up announced
Key speakers for the 2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Conference have been announced, which will take place in Mandurah (Mandjoogoordap) from 10-12 June. Speakers include former Australian Cricket Team Batsman and Coach Justin Langer AM; International AI in Tourism Expert Peter Syme; Deputy Premier, Minister for Tourism Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA; Minister for Culture and the Arts, Sport and Recreation, International Education and Heritage Hon. David Templeman MLA; Comedian and Author Simone Springer; Tourism Australia Managing Director Philipa Harrison; and City of Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams. Register here.

Post-budget breakfast registrations close soon
Tourism businesses are invited to attend Tourism Council WA’s upcoming State Budget Tourism Review on Wednesday, 15 May. Hear from Deputy Premier and Minister for Tourism Hon. Rita Saffioti MLA who will provide a complete briefing of the budget and what it will mean for the broader tourism industry. Tourism WA Executive Director Events Anna Last will also be speaking at the event. Register here.

Perth workshops registrations close soon
Registrations for Tourism Council WA’s Perth workshops on Tuesday, 14 May are closing soon. To learn how to better cater to travellers of all abilities, take part in the Accessible Tourism workshop. To learn how to integrate different marketing channels join the Your Tourism Business Online: Google, SEO & SEM workshop. Register here. 

Health, safety and discrimination responsibilities webinar
Businesses are invited to join a webinar on Thursday, 16 May to learn about the new requirements for all businesses regarding health, safety, and discrimination. The webinar will also cover how the new requirements will apply to relationships with guests, suppliers and employees. In this Tourism Council WA webinar, Bailiwick Legal will explain the new requirements and how to ensure to comply with business obligations. Register here.