Tourism Council WA has congratulated the State Government on its record level of funding for tourism events and the economic diversity and jobs those events created.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said the $286 million in economic impact created by State Government funded events in 2023-4 would create jobs in accommodation, cafés, restaurants, tours and experiences across Western Australia.
"Major events are a driver for international and interstate visitors to the State, who extend their stay to visit regional Western Australia, boosting visitor spend and job creation," Mr Hall said.
"We encourage the State Government to maintain this level of funding and calendar of events year-in and year-out for WA, with a particular focus on creating and sustaining both regional and metro events."
Mr Hall said major events such as Coldplay and WWE Elimination Chamber gave interstate and international visitors a compelling reason to travel to Western Australia now instead of later.
"Major events such as Coldplay have been critical to activating Perth and the post-COVID recovery of our international and interstate visitors," he said.
Mr Hall said Western Australians were heading overseas in record numbers, and it was critical for WA to develop a calendar of regional events to give Western Australians new reasons to 'Wander out Yonder' in regional WA.
"It's important that we maintain a regular calendar of recurring events so that visitors return to WA for their favourite event and there is something 'always on' in WA for locals and our out-of-state guests," he said.
"Most importantly, all these visitors who attend WA events have a great experience and are sending the word around the world that we're a must do destination."
