WA tourism fund cuts 'a mistake'

Written on the 25 April 2016

The West Australian government is making a mistake cutting tourism funding by more than $20 million at a time when it should be boosted to make up for the loss of the mining boom's riches, says the industry's peak body.

WA had a four per cent decline in international visitor expenditure in 2015 compared to dramatic growth on the east coast, with Victoria up 30 per cent and NSW and Queensland both 19 per cent better, according to the latest International Visitor Survey by Tourism Research Australia.

"Tourism Western Australia's funding is set to plunge from $89.1 million in 2015-16 to $68.1 million in 2018-19 - this is simply the wrong direction if Western Australia is serious about diversifying its economy away from mining," Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said.

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Source: watoday.com.au | AAP