WA showcased in major tourism trade show

 

 

Three hundred travel agents from across Asia, including 25 from Japan, arrived in Perth this week for one of Australia’s biggest tourism industry trade shows. Corroboree Asia 2016, run by Tourism Australia, got underway with a spectacular welcome function at the Isle of Voyage at Elizabeth Quay.

The agents will meet with about 130 Australian tourism operators over four days to update their knowledge of Australia, to help them promote the destination in their respective markets.

Premier and Tourism Minister Colin Barnett said the timing was perfect to show off the rebirth of Perth. “During the mining boom, Perth gained a reputation for being expensive, with hotel rooms in short supply and little to offer leisure tourists,” Mr Barnett said. “New hotel rooms, small bars and restaurants, the opening of Elizabeth Quay and Perth Arena and significant upgrades to Perth airport have all transformed our city into a tourism destination in its own right, rather than just a gateway to the regions.”

“When you also consider our clean air, fresh produce and easy access to places like the Swan Valley, Fremantle, Rottnest and the Pinnacles, Perth has a lot to offer to visitors from Asia.” Many of the agents will also have the opportunity to see regional parts of Western Australia, with a familiarisation tour after the trade show.

The Premier said tourism generated 97,000 jobs and $9.3 billion in visitor spend, making it a vital industry for WA’s economy. “Perth is the gateway to Australia for many Asian travellers,” he said. “Markets such as China, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are important in the Government’s goal of increasing visitor spend to $12 billion by 2020, and trade events such as Corroboree Asia will help us get there.”