UFC back in Perth with UFC 305 
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will return to Perth with UFC 305 to take place at RAC Arena on Sunday, 18 August 2024. WA will be showcased globally with the event being the UFC’s only Pay-Per-View (PPV) event in Australia in 2024, broadcast in over 170 countries and in 50 languages. In February 2023, UFC 284 broke national arena attendance records and injected a massive $16 million into the WA economy, this year’s event expected to deliver similar results. Read more here. 

Header image and above credit: Chris Unger and Zaffa (Getty Images)

New flight to connect Singapore and Broome 
A new non-stop seasonal service between Singapore and Broome will launch this winter, reducing travel time between the two destinations by over eight hours. Operating twice weekly from 25 June to 28 October, Jetstar Asia’s new service is supported by Tourism WA’s $75 million Aviation Recovery Fund, in collaboration with Broome International Airport. Singapore is the WA’s second-largest international visitor market, with over 86,000 visitors arriving in WA from Singapore year ending September 2023, with Broome also a priority destination for visitors from South East Asia. Fares start from $125 Singapore Dollars one way. Read more here. 

First non-stop Sydney to Busselton flight launches 
Jetstar’s inaugural direct flight between Sydney and Busselton launched this week, which will bring thousands of additional visitors to Australia’s South West. Operating three times weekly, the new flight will significantly reduce travel time for East Coast visitors to reach the Margaret River Region, as a five-hour non-stop service. The direct connection, supported by Tourism WA, presents an exciting opportunity for visitors to directly access the region and explore its gourmet food offerings, premium wine regions, world-class surfing spots, and majestic forests. Read more here. 

Regional Workforce Development Program
A tailor-made tourism and hospitality training program has been launched in regional WA, in partnership with the Regional Chambers of Commerce and Industry (WA) and eight local Chambers, to connect jobseekers with businesses. The sessions include topics such as Approved Managers’ Certification, Barista Training, Mastering Customer Conversation, and Responsible Service of Alcohol. This initiative is delivered as part of Tourism WA’s two-year $3.9 million commitment to develop workforce skills for the industry. To register staff for upskilling or connect with new potential employees, register here.   

Camping with Custodians showcased at Perth Caravan & Camping Show
Representatives from several Camping with Custodians sites joined other Aboriginal tourism businesses to shared their unique visitor experiences with thousands of keen campers at the Perth Caravan & Camping Show. Taking place from Thursday, 21 to Sunday, 24 March at Claremont Showground, it provided a key opportunity to showcase the Camping with Custodians sites and Aboriginal tourism experiences around WA ahead of the 2024 Kimberley tourism season kicking off. Find out more about Tourism WA’s Camping with Custodian sites here. 

Expressions of interest sought for Rottnest Island summer season 
The Rottnest Island Authority has released a call for interest from experienced operators to bring fun, innovative and exciting new recreational businesses to the Island, commencing in summer 2024. Expressions of interest are welcomed for the following areas and purposes: recreational activities and experiences; Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences; a peak season pop-up at the Heritage Common; and for water park/activities North Thomson Bay. Registrations close 4:00pm (AWST) Wednesday, 1 May 2024. Register your interest here.  

New festival to highlight Esperance hiking trails 
The inaugural Esperance Hiking Festival will take place over three days in September 2024, promoting Esperance’s hiking trails while also supporting the local economy during a lower visitation period. Featuring five guided hikes tailored to different fitness levels, the festival has been strategically aligned with the Esperance Wildflower Festival and has been developed in partnership by Australia’s Golden Outback and The Hike Collective. Read more here. 

Overnight visitors to Rottnest Island to benefit with upgraded accommodation
Significant upgrades to self-contained units at Geordie Bay on Rottnest Island will commence in April 2024, as part of Rottnest Island Authority's commitment to upgrading its Stay Rottnest accommodation. A total of 51 units at Geordie Bay will receive upgrades including modernised kitchens and bathrooms; refurbished bedrooms and living areas; new flooring, fixtures and fittings, replacement of windows and doors; and upgrades to balconies and courtyards. The refurbished Geordie Bay units will re-open in time for the September 2024 school holidays. Read more here. 

Register to join the upcoming UK and EU Agent Showcase
To coincide with Tourism Australia’s Marketplace event taking place from 18-20 November, Tourism WA will host an agent showcase in the United Kingdom from 13-14 November and in Continental Europe from 21-23 November. Further information will be shared as details are finalised. For more information, or to register your interest in attending as a WA seller, please complete an Expression of Interest Form here. 

Nominations now open for WA Tourism Awards 
Nominations for the 2024 Perth Airport WA Tourism Awards are now open. With 27 categories to choose from, including festivals and events, adventure tourism, tours and transport, food, wine, accommodation, accessible tourism and many more, there is a category to suit every tourism business. Read more here. 

Busselton workshops registrations open 
Registrations for Tourism Council WA’s Busselton workshops on 28-29 May are now open, which will teach you how to leverage free publicity for your tourism business and how to effectively market your tourism business. Take part in the Google, SEO & SEM workshop to learn how to attract and retain customers, and join the understanding target markets workshop to receive practical marketing advice, followed by a Sustainability Briefing and Tourism Connect. Read more here.

Take the tourism emissions reduction program assessment 
Tourism Council WA recently launched an easy-to-use online tool enabling small and medium tourism businesses to undertake an emissions assessment and develop an emissions reduction plan. Tourism businesses can then indicate their commitment to improving their sustainability to visitors by displaying their waste and emission reduction measures via a link or QR code on their website. Find out more here.