- New tourism-focused division to be created within Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
- Division to be charged with driving new commercial tourism projects in national parks
- Nature-based Tourism Industry Reference Group to support division's operations
The Cook Labor Government is furthering its commitment to supporting nature-based tourism initiatives throughout Western Australia by creating a new tourism-focused division within the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA).
WA's national parks are already home to about 500 tourism businesses, with DBCA managing award-winning attractions like the Kalbarri Skywalk and the Tree Top Walk, as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay.
In the past year, the State Government has supported tourism-focused policies at DBCA by:
- waiving annual T-class licence charges for tourism businesses operating in WA's national parks and conservation areas;
- supporting outdoor adventure tourism through a $165 million investment in boating facilities, campgrounds, and trails as part of the 2024-25 State Budget; and
- investing $51 million in the Perth Zoo Master Plan to support construction of the zoo's Primate Crossing and Parkland Heart Precinct.
These policies have in turn supported record visitation at WA's national parks, which recorded more than 24 million visits in the 2023-24 financial year, as well as Kings Park and Perth Zoo, which respectively welcomed more than five million and 800,000 visitors during the same period.
To further support tourism within WA's conservation estate, DBCA's new nature-based tourism division will be charged with driving new commercial tourism projects in national parks.
It will also support the Department's industry relationship management, tourism operator licensing, and new tourism opportunity development.
To support the division, DBCA will also establish a Nature-based Tourism Industry Reference Group, with representatives from Tourism Council WA, tourism operators and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI).
Recruitment is already underway for an executive director and other key positions at the new tourism division.
Nominations to the Nature-based Tourism Industry Reference Group can be made at https://wwww.dbca.wa.gov.au/tourism.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
"I believe that our State's national parks should be as open and accessible as possible.
"That way, people can learn from, engage with, and experience the best of what WA's environment has to offer.
"This new division will prioritise our State's natural assets and elevate the economic contribution WA national parks make to our regional economies.
"It builds on our $165 million investment in outdoor and adventure tourism as part of the State Budget and is further evidence of our Government's commitment to helping tourists enjoy and connect with WA's natural environment."
As stated by Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:
"Attractions like our national parks are a critical part of tourism in Western Australia, and ensuring they remain world-class and keep attracting visitors from around the globe is so important.
"We know that visitors and the money they spend support our local operators, create local jobs and helps to diversify our economy, which is why we're creating this new division within DBCA to amplify and keep driving these outcomes."
