$38 million tourism support applications open soon

Applications for funding through a $38 million tourism industry support package will start to open in the coming week. Businesses will be able to apply for support through one of three programs – the $15 million Tourism Deposit Refund Program, the $20 million Tourism Support Program, or the $3 million Travel Agent Support Fund. The package of funding programs aims to support businesses impacted by the decision to delay the opening of the border. More information is available on our corporate website and program guidelines will likely be available from early next week.

Reconnect WA tourism industry update

More than 300 people attended last week’s tourism industry update both in person and online. The event provided attendees with an update on our tourism strategy, the recently announced support package, our marketing activity and our new global brand. To help you with your own marketing plans, you can find a snapshot on our corporate website that summaries our key target markets, immediate activity and our preferred distribution partners in each of our markets.

Adventure Awaits Roadshow in UK and Europe

Tourism WA is organising an in-person roadshow in June, to reconnect outbound trade partners and agents from the United Kingdom and Europe (Germany, Switzerland, Italy) with key WA tourism operators. This roadshow will enable WA operators to reconnect with the UK and European trade, update and exchange information, and strengthen relationships with key-decision makers, and provide an opportunity to train UK and European agents. View the prospectus here.

Tourism WA appoints new east coast trade representatives

Tourism WA has appointed the Walshe Group as its new east coast trade representatives for the next two years. Recognised as one of the most experienced tourism representation companies in Australia and New Zealand, The Walshe Group will provide representation across the key markets of Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The appointment will help drive success for WA’s tourism industry as the state prepares to reconnect to the rest of the world.

Hospitality employer recruitment opportunity

Tourism WA, in partnership with AHA (WA), will be running a number of Bar & Barista Job Connect programs in March and April, across the metropolitan area. The programs aim to attract new workers to the industry, providing them with basic hospitality training before connecting them with local hospitality employers. The programs will be held in Perth’s CBD (March 15), Fremantle (March 29) and Joondalup (April 12). Employers interested in registering for one of the programs can do so here.
Image: Courtesy of Tourism Australia.

Pinnacles rated top international travel experience

Stargazing in the Pinnacles has been included in the Culture Trip’s ‘world’s greatest travel experiences for 2022’ list. The top 14 experiences across the globe are collated by the Culture Trip’s travel experts and local insiders. The article, which highlights specially selected experiences, will be shared with the website’s global audience, reaching a potential four million readers in the UK and 14 million worldwide. Read the full article on the Culture Trip website.

Western Australia in the spotlight for UK agents

Tourism WA is partnering with Tourism Australia and Qantas to increase the number of UK travel agents who are Western Australia specialists. This includes webinars showcasing WA’s bucket list experiences and product updates from across the state, as well as a range of incentives for agents who complete the WA modules of TA’s Aussie Specialist Program before 31 March. Last year WA became the most completed state module by UK agents thanks to similar initiatives.

Free mentoring program for tourism businesses

Free mentoring sessions are available through the Tourism Boost program to assist tourism businesses at various stages of market readiness. The program is run by Tourism Council Western Australia (TCWA) and is designed to help operators to improve how they sell and distribute their products online with one-on-one mentoring from industry experts. Tourism Boost is supported by Tourism WA. Applications are now open for interest businesses, visit the TCWA website.
 

Great Southern tourism and trade partnership launched

A new partnership has been launched to help grow exports, trade and tourism and drive local jobs in WA’s Great Southern. The Great Southern Tourism and Trade Partnership will bring together the Great Southern Development Commission, Austrade, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, and Australia’s South West, to bring additional support to agriculture, food and beverage businesses. The initiative will strengthen the value and build the profile of the Great Southern region, building on key strengths in agrifoods and tourism. Read more in the media statement.

Top tourism town award nominations open

Nominations are now open in the 2022 GWN7 Top Tourism Town Awards. Visitor Centres or Local Governments can nominate their town or city in the Awards across three categories, Top Tourism Town, Small Tourism Town and the new Tiny Tourism Town category. The program showcases the State’s top destinations and recognises their commitment to encouraging tourism and increasing visitors. They also provide an opportunity to highlight the importance of tourism to local communities. For more information visit, the TCWA website.

Calling creatives for exciting artwork project

Creatives can apply to be part of a Public Artwork project at WA Museum Boola Bardip. The successful applicant will deliver content for two external digital screens at the museum, highlighting the diversity of Aboriginal art and culture in Western Australia. WA Aboriginal visual artists, arts workers, filmmakers, animators, producers, curators or Non-Indigenous creatives who work closely with Aboriginal creatives and communities are encouraged to apply. Applications close on March 24, 2022. Find out more on the AACHWA website.

Have say on short-term rental planning policy

Tourism businesses can still provide feedback on the management of short-term rentals. The draft Position Statement: Planning for Tourism and associated guidelines outline proposed changes to how short-term rental accommodation will be run in our State. Feedback can be provided through the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage website. There is also a second public survey on the proposed registration scheme for short-term rental accommodation.

Registrations close Friday for Perth tourism workshops

Tourism Council WA is presenting four tourism-specific training workshops in Perth next week, covering social media (intermediate and advanced), distribution and domestic marketing. Registrations close midday Friday. For more information or to register, visit the website.

Travel agent survey closing soon

Tourism WA is inviting WA travel agents to complete our WA Travel Agent Connect Survey, which will assist us in shaping the development of a new WA travel specialist engagement program. The program seeks to build on relationships between Tourism WA, the retail travel industry and tourism operators through destination education, networking opportunities and joint tourism marketing initiatives. Interstate travel agents can fill out a survey here.