Planning Ahead For WA’s Tourism Growth 

The Tourism Forecasting Committee says the number of visitor nights in Western Australia is forecast to be 55.3 million by 2020, up from 45.6 million in 2010.  That’s an average annual rise of 2.0 per cent.

The average rise across Australia between 2010 and 2020 is forecast to be 1.7 per cent a year.

The number of business-related visitor nights in Western Australia is forecast to stand at 8.1 million by 2020, an average annual rise of 1.4 per cent.  The forecast annual growth in visitor nights for holiday travel and visiting friends and relatives in Western Australia are 1.3 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

The forecasts suggest the number of visitor nights will rise faster in Perth than in the rest of Western Australia.

“Tourism brings $2.8 billion a year into Western Australia’s economy,” said the Minister for Tourism, Martin Ferguson AM MP.

“With so much economic prosperity at stake from this vital industry, not least among the 40,000 West Australians directly employed in tourism, through the National Long Term Tourism Strategy we are doing the hard work to unleash more investment in hotels, transport and tourism infrastructure.

“Emerging markets, especially China, offer fresh opportunities to invest in quality tourism experiences for the future – both for domestic travellers and those from overseas.

“Our tourism industry must improve on the supply side.  For example, the 2020 Tourism Industry Potential estimates we’ll need another 40,000 to 70,000 rooms across Australia by the end of the decade.  We’ll need up to 150,000 more jobs in tourism too.

“A collective focus is essential.  By working with state governments and industry on capacity-building measures such as planning, transport and skills, Australia will be in better shape to welcome more visitors,” Minister Ferguson said.

The Tourism Forecasting Committee’s regional forecast tables are at www.ret.gov.au/tra