Drive the Dream launch
This week, we officially launched Tourism WA’s new road trips initiative as part of the ongoing Drive the Dream global campaign. Deputy Premier and Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti announced the latest India-focused installment, which features Australian cricket legend Adam Gilchrist and his son Harry exploring day trips from Perth including sandboarding in Lancelin, stargazing in the Pinnacles, tasting the flavours of the Swan Valley by car, and taking a dolphin boat cruise in Rockingham. The campaign capitalises on India and Australia’s shared love of cricket and has launched ahead of the upcoming West Test cricket series taking place in Perth in November. India is a priority tourism market for WA with 34,000 visitors spending $128 million in year ending March 2024. Read more here. 

Perth scores with global rugby event returning in 2025
Following the major success of HSBC SVNS 2024, which drew 48,000 fans over three days, Perth will once again host an Australian-exclusive leg of the tournament in 2025 from 24-26 January at HBF Park. HSBC SVNS attracts the world's top rugby nations to play an alternative rugby union format which involves seven players competing in seven-minute halves in a tournament, with round robin and knockout matches over three days. Pre-sale tickets will be available from Tuesday, 13 August.
Read more here.

Image credit: HSBC SVNS

Businesses are invited to join the India Market Spotlight event
Tourism WA invites tourism businesses to join a Market Spotlight event on Tuesday, 27 August featuring representatives from Tourism WA’s team in India. The in-person event will provide an opportunity to hear updates from the market team on the latest insights from their region, upcoming activities, and opportunities to get involved in India-focused activity. Registrations close Tuesday, 20 August to attend the event or to receive the recording of the session, which will be distributed following the event.
Register here.

HIS Japan visit to Perth
Last week, Tourism WA hosted 18 HIS agents from Japan on a familiarisation tour of Perth where they explored Kings Park, the Pinnacles and Rottnest Island, along with a range of other experiences. Last financial year, Tourism WA and HIS worked together on a partnership campaign which included website, print and out-of-home advertising as well as promotions in HIS stores and agent training sessions, delivering over 1,400 visitors from Japan. Japan is a significant market for WA, with Japanese visitors spending in $79 million in the state in 2023. Read more about the Japan
market here.

Applications now open for new wine tourism award
The WA Good Food Guide, in partnership with Tourism WA, is searching for Western Australia’s Best Tourism Experience in Wine. If you have a bookable tourism experience, such as special cellar door tastings, unique events, winery accommodation or hospitality, you are invited to apply for this new award category. Applications are now open and close on Friday, 23 August. The winner of this inaugural category will be announced at the WA Good Food Guide Wine Awards & Festival on Monday, 14 October 2024. Find out more and apply here.  

East Coast trade support
If you are planning a visit to the east coast for a sales visit or product training, or are looking to make some interstate trade contacts, remember to reach out to Tourism WA’s East Coast Trade Manager, Christine Poole, who can assist with connections and arranging meetings for you with top travel agents and relevant key distribution partners. Please also keep Christine up to date on your latest business news, events and updates so she can share in her destination training and regular trade e-newsletter. For more information, please email Christine.Poole@westernaustralia.com.

Flight Centre survey crowns Perth best city in the world to visit
A recent Flight Centre survey has revealed Perth as the world’s top city to visit. Flight Centre’s survey of 170,000 travellers across Australia, Canada, South Africa, and the United Kingdom revealed visitors to Perth have indicated a 96 per cent satisfaction rate, making our state capital the top-rated city in the world to visit, with Brisbane, Queenstown and New Zealand close behind. The survey placed Portugal as the top country, with a 94 per cent satisfaction rate. Learn more about experiences in Perth here. 

Margaret River Region’s swimming holidays captured in national publication
A new women’s only swimming holiday experience in the Margaret River Region has been beautifully captured in national publication Australian Traveller. Written by Perth-based travel writer Fleur Bainger, the story captures the dreamy magic of a Swimming Women day tour, and the growing trend of wild swimming safaris. The coverage is a result of the PR team’s pitching and famil activity, published domestically to a readership of over 150,000 across print and online. Read the story here. 

Image credit: Jarrad Seng

International campaign live with Wing On Travel
Tourism WA has partnered with Wing On Travel for a tactical campaign in the Hong Kong market, launching a promotion offer this week with discounted round-trip air tickets, aiming to boost bookings during the summer and Christmas holiday periods. The campaign will utilise Walking On A Dream messaging to drive conversion. Read more here. 

EverNow 2024 full program revealed
The final events program for Tourism WA’s major homegrown event EverNow: A Festival During Kambarang was announced last week. The free festival runs from 3-7 October and will be headlined by Australian-exclusive show From the Light Flow: Bena Koorliny. Song Circle will return to the 2024 program and promises an engaging performance celebrating Noongar culture through music, dance, and light. Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak, will also return and take visitors on an immersive after-dark journey through Kings Park and Botanic Garden. The festival celebrates WA's Aboriginal culture and natural environment and is delivered by Perth Festival. Read more here. 

Upskill with regional tourism workshops
Learn about the latest information, research, and trends relevant to your tourism business by attending Tourism Council WA’s upcoming workshops in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Geraldton, Margaret River and Perth in August and September. Learn more about Tourism Council WA’s Training Workshops here.

Right to Disconnect and New Casual Work Rules webinar
Changes to casual work regulations are being implemented from Monday, 26 August. To learn how these changes could impact your tourism business, along with the new right to disconnect legal requirements, join Tourism Council WA and Bailiwick Legal for a webinar at 10am on Thursday, 15 August.
Register here.