COVID recovery: Tourism Council boss tells WA Govt to ‘think big’, green-light five key attractions in 2022

The tourism industry has released its pandemic recovery blueprint for Perth, urging the McGowan Government to support new attractions. Tourism Council WA chief Evan Hall said on Saturday Perth had to “think big” and present itself as a city worth visiting as it prepared to reopen its borders to the Eastern States — and to the world — in just a few weeks. “I think the Government need to set themselves a target of approving five new projects in 2022, and making sure they are all built and on line and available for the people of Perth, and visitors, by 2024,” Mr Hall said. “We need to give the green light for new projects in 2022.” The five top attractions identified by the Tourism Council that needed to be built, or given the go-ahead in 2022 were: With WA set to fully reopen its borders to the Eastern States and the world in the new year, WA Premier Mark McGowan has already announced he wants to attract “blockbuster events” to the State. Mr Hall said attracting, to Perth, big entertainment events such as European soccer matches, international rugby features and international acts such as Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Beyonce were vital in the re-exposure of Perth to the world. And re-establishing and creating new aviation services, such as winning back the Perth to London direct flight and establishing direct flights to Japan, India and South Korea were also important, Mr Hall said. But he said that the WA Government, and its agencies, needed to get serious about encouraging new attractions to Perth, as it competed with other Australian cities for tourists. Projects like a zip-line from Kings Park to South Perth and a Perth cable car have been talked about for years. Mr Hall said he knew of groups who wanted to build these attractions, but they had continually hit brick walls in discussions with government and its agencies. “We can get the zip-line and ropes course going in 2022. These are all doable,” Mr Hall said. “These attractions will be self-funded, it’s not about money, it’s about the right decisions. “We need an upfront in-principle decision from State Government and then just get on with it. “Government agencies need to make the decision to say yes, and approve projects like a ropes course in Kings Park. “We need an in-principle decision that they do want a cable car or a zip-line, and then they fast-track those proposals with the tourism business to make sure they meet all the environmental, sustainability and safety criteria. “Quite simply, approve these projects and get on with it.” Mr Hall also warned the Government about chopping and changing its border rules, when WA reopened. “The Government’s $185M Reconnect WA package is a great start to reopening WA for aviation, events and tourism,” he said. “Once WA opens we must stay the course. We must stick with nationally consistent border and health rules or airlines, events, businesses, workers, students and families will avoid WA. “If we cannot provide certainty, no one is coming. “No one is scared of COVID. They are scared of being stuck in or out of WA because they don’t know what’s going to happen, and that’s what is going to hold back the State. “We need to think big and build back confidence to visiting WA”

COVID recovery: Tourism Council boss tells WA Govt to ‘think big’, green-light five key attractions in 2022

Subscribe today.

Everyday Digital

Weekend Papers + Everyday Digital