Perth chosen as location for Australian Tourism Minister’s Meeting

Underpinning the city’s growing importance as an Australian tourism location, Perth has been chosen as the location for the Australian Tourism Minister’s Meeting for the first time since 2009.

West Australia Tourism Minister Kim Hames said Perth, and Western Australia in general, had an important part to play in Australia’s tourism story.

“Perth’s proximity to Asia in particular, and its links to the USA and Europe through the Middle East, make it an attractive stand-alone destination as well as a vital gateway to the rest of the country for so many visitors,” Dr Hames said.

“It’s not just holiday makers who find WA attractive; increasingly, international students are looking to Perth, international business is bringing conferences here such as LNG 18 and countries like China are creating trade links on the back of our great food and wine offering.”

The Minister said Perth was on the cusp of being one of the world’s great city destinations, with a mix of spectacular beaches and natural beauty as well as an emerging vibrant local culture.

Dr Hames said aviation access had also improved recently with 19 international airlines now operating out of Perth Airport.

Tourism generates more than 94,000 jobs in WA and is worth $8.9 billion.