The Western Australia Visitor Economy Strategy 2033 (WAVES 2033) aims to grow visitor spend in Western Australia to $25 billion by 2033. Last financial year, visitors spent $16.8 billion in WA.
The visitor economy strategy includes plans to back public and business events, including supporting “the enhancement of business event infrastructure to attract globally-competitive business events”.
The government will also work with Business Events Perth on a business events strategy to leverage economic and tourism outcomes for business events.
As a whole, the strategy looks to attract new inbound aviation routes and boost regional tourism with affordable airfares, entice private sector investment in accommodation and tourism attractions, invest in event infrastructure, develop Aboriginal cultural centres, grow the tourism and hospitality workforce and attract high yield travellers and international students.
The state government has promised $530 million over four years to realise the strategy.
“We are committed to creating a world-class tourism destination that combines commerce, community and culture and brings them together in a way that engages with our incredible natural assets,” said WA’s tourism minister, Rita Saffioti.
“The aim of WAVES 2033 is to sustainably drive our state’s visitor economy to even greater levels of success, which will bring billions into our state and create jobs for Western Australians.
“WAVES 2033 is a focused strategy that has identified areas of major growth potential, which will contribute towards a significant uplift in the visitor economy over the next ten years.
“The record budget of $530 million over the next four years demonstrates our commitment to tourism and the visitor economy, and will enhance marketing, aviation, destination development and events activity across the state.”
Business events infrastructure already looks likely to get a boost, with the state government announcing in January that there is a proposal in the works to redevelop Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre.
