China non-stop flights returning to Perth
China Southern Airlines will recommence its non-stop service from Guangzhou to Perth from 28 November 2024. Supported by the $75 million Aviation Recovery Fund, the airline will operate the service three times per week, bringing an additional 41,000 inbound seats to Western Australia each year. This will be the first year-round non-stop service between mainland China and Western Australia since the pandemic.
Read more here.  

Image credit: China Southern Airlines

Robert Irwin secured for WTTC Global Summit
Beloved Australian environmentalist Robert Irwin will address the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, which is proudly supported by Tourism WA. The son of Australian legend Steve Irwin is the first major speaker to be announced for the event, which is taking place in Perth from 8 – 10 October. The theme for the event is "Ancient Land: New Perspectives," which will showcase WA’s cultural heritage and natural environment. Read more here.  

Tourism WA marks National Reconciliation Week
This National Reconciliation Week, Tourism WA reaffirms its commitment to supporting a reconciled future for all Australians through implementing meaningful initiatives. In addition to placing Aboriginal culture at the forefront of the global ‘Walking On A Dream’ destination brand, Tourism WA is proud to celebrate and reflect Aboriginal values and culture through initiatives such as the WA Visitor Economy Strategy 2033, which outlines Aboriginal tourism as a key pillar; the Jina: WA Aboriginal Tourism Action Plan 2021 – 2025, which seeks to establish WA as Australia’s premier Aboriginal tourism destination; supporting Aboriginal tourism operators statewide through funded partner WAITOC; and through the Australian-first Camping with Custodians Program and the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme.
Read more here.

Rex Airlines launches new Perth routes
Regional carrier Rex Airlines has announced two new routes into Perth from Melbourne and Adelaide, adding nearly 61,000 extra seats into Western Australia each year. From Friday, 28 June 2024, Rex will offer services between Melbourne and Perth five days a week, supported by Tourism WA, and three new services per week between Adelaide and Perth. The flights have been timed to coincide with the start of the school holiday period, offering even more opportunities for visitors to explore Western Australia at leisure.
Read more here.

Image credit: Rex Airlines

Australia Marketplace Japan and Korea applications close tomorrow
Applications for Tourism Australia’s Australia Marketplace Japan 2024 and Australia Marketplace Korea 2024 events close tomorrow, Friday, 31 May. Both events offer the opportunity to connect with agencies, wholesalers and tour operators and will include pre-scheduled appointments between buyers and sellers in addition to networking opportunities. The Australia Marketplace Japan will be held from 26 - 27 August, with the Australia Marketplace Korea to follow from 29 - 30 August. For delegates seeking to attend both events, a reduced participation fee applies, however a separate application is required for each event. Read more and apply for the Japan event here and the Korea event here. 

WA dream content partnership with NZME
Tourism WA is working with top media partner New Zealand Media and Entertainment (NZME) on a content partnership to encourage New Zealanders to start planning and booking their next holiday in Western Australia. ‘Walking On A Dream’ messaging and content is being featured in articles, immersive digital content and videos across news outlet NZ Herald’s website over eight weeks to drive traffic to westernaustralia.com for more information and links to WA operators. View the NZ Herald feature here.

2023 market profiles released
Tourism WA has just released its new international, interstate and intrastate market profiles for the year ending December 2023. The profiles offer detailed insights into the WA visitor market such as the popularity of Western Australia as a destination for visitors from different overseas markets; which out-of-state visitors generated the highest level of spend; and what kind of accommodation choice was the most popular for intrastate visitors. Tourism WA’s newly released interstate and intrastate markets profiles can be accessed here and the international markets profiles can be accessed here. 

ATEC to deliver National ‘China Host’ workshops
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has launched a new federally funded program to help Australian tourism businesses build confidence and knowledge of the Chinese visitor market. Commencing in June in partnership with the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, ATEC’s ‘China Host’ will be delivered across Australia with a series of face-to-face workshops. Content will include culture, service, product and trade engagement and the workshops are designed for all Australian tourism businesses, including regional and Aboriginal tourism operators, seeking to engage with the Chinese market. Register here. 

Secure free entry to the AHA (WA) Hospitality Expo
Free entry is available for this year’s Australian Hotels Association (WA) Hospitality Expo on 25 and 26 June at Crown Perth. This industry-only expo is the largest hospitality trade show in WA, regularly attracting more than 2,000 delegates and bringing together venue owners, industry suppliers and hospitality professionals. It offers a key opportunity to experience new products, premium food and beverages and innovative business solutions, as well as being a valuable networking event. Secure free registration by confirming attendance before Monday, 17 June, after which entry costs $50 per person.
Register here.

Image credit: AHA (WA)

Last chance to register for WA Tourism Conference
Registrations for the 2024 WA Tourism Conference close at 5pm Tuesday, 4 June. Suitable for tourism businesses of all types and sizes, the WA Tourism Conference offers the opportunity for professional and business development, networking and engagement with industry colleagues, and the chance to hear from industry-leading speakers on critical issues and innovative ideas.
Register here. 

WA Tourism Awards nominations extended
Now in its 52nd year, the Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards recognises business excellence, provides a platform to review business achievements and innovation, and provides the opportunity to raise your profile among the industry and consumers. Nominations have been extended to Wednesday, 19 June and all that is required is to complete a short nomination process. Final submissions are due Wednesday, 7 August. Find out more, including how to nominate, here.  

Domestic Market Insights Webinar
Find out which destinations Western Australians will be travelling to in the next six months, along with what type of activities, transport, and accommodation they are planning, and discover which Western Australians have planned a trip for the upcoming June school holidays, by joining Tourism Council WA’s new webinar. Join Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall for a webinar at 10am on Thursday, 6 June to hear the latest domestic market trends from TCWA's Travellers’ Intentions Survey.
Register here.