Tourism Council WA has welcomed the return of the Shore Leave Festival in 2025 announced by the State Government today, which was expected to attract additional overnight visitors to Geraldton.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said major events like the Shore Leave Festival gave interstate and international visitors a compelling reason to travel to Western Australia at a specific time, boosting local visitor spend and job creation.
Mr Hall said Western Australians were heading overseas in record numbers, so it was critical for WA to develop a calendar of regional events to give Western Australians new reasons to explore their backyard.
"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," Mr Hall said.
Mr Hall said Geraldton was the perfect backdrop to celebrate the region's unique offerings, from landing on East Wallabi Island to enjoy a Western Rock Lobster lunch to dining under the stars at Yanget Farm.
He said Western Australian seafood, and particularly the iconic rock lobster, was a unique food experience and a drawcard for international and interstate visitors.
