WA’s holiday visitor numbers at all-time high before COVID-19 crisis

Image credit: Russell Ord

Visitors to and within Western Australia reached record levels in 2019, according to the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) and National Visitor Survey (NVS).

The data, which was released by Tourism Research Australia today, revealed 24.2 million day trips were taken and 12 million overnight visitors came to, or travelled within, Western Australia in 2019. Together, these visitors spent $11 billion in the State, $5.2 billion (or 48 per cent) of which was spent in regional WA.

A total of 995,700 international visitors travelled to the State in 2019 - an increase of 3.3 per cent on the 2018 figures.

International holiday visitors, specifically, increased by 10.1 per cent, with 536,400 overseas travellers choosing WA as their holiday destination in 2019. These visitors spent $870 million – an increase of 13.7 per cent on 2018.

This is the highest ever number of international holiday visitors to WA and the strongest growth rate in international holiday visitors and spend of all states and territories.

The NVS figures showed equally positive results for the State. In the year ending December 2019, interstate holiday visitors and spend were the highest on record.

West Australians also took more overnight trips within the State during this period, increasing 11.2 per cent to 9.17 million intrastate overnight visitors.

While it is important to acknowledge these positive visitor numbers, Tourism WA is now focused on supporting the tourism industry through the current COVID-19 crisis.

Last week, the State Government announced a new Industry Support Team, facilitated by Tourism WA in collaboration with industry partners.

Launched on Monday, the new initiative comprises a dedicated team from Tourism WA, who are calling industry operators to offer support and guidance throughout this difficult time.

For more detailed information on the latest WA visitor statistics, visit our research page.