Tourism Western Australia

🚨 Last chance to apply! 🚨    Applications to join Tourism WA’s 2026 Trade Ready Introduction Program (TRIP) close at 5pm on Tuesday, 30 September.     TRIP is designed to support established tourism operators looking to expand into interstate and international markets. The program offers expert guidance and support, financial assistance, and access to trade engagement opportunities like the Australian Tourism Exchange and Tourism WA roadshows.   If you're ready to take your business to the next level, now’s the time. Apply using the link below.  Find out more and apply at http://bit.ly/4maH7I1

Encouraging investment into WA's regions is vital to unlocking our full tourism potential and creating lasting benefits for local communities.       We’ve just released investment profiles for three of WA’s most iconic destinations —the Kimberley, Margaret River Region and Ningaloo.       Each profile shines a light on the region’s investment landscape, while highlighting key visitation insights, market performance and major tourism assets to help guide potential investors and industry partners.       Explore the profiles, along with Tourism WA’s full suite of investment collateral, here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gHmr-ZPa

Tourism WA is proud to launch the first regional edition of its Future Leaders Program, supporting leadership development in WA’s tourism sector.     Designed for emerging leaders in tourism businesses, the program builds capability through tailored training, mentoring and peer learning.    Expressions of interest are now open, with the program to run in the South West from 20–21 October and 5–6 November 2025, and the metro program to be released in January 2026.    Invest in your team and strengthen leadership across the industry by submitting your EOI here👉 https://lnkd.in/gmrh-ceN

Last chance to apply for the Regional Events Scheme! Applications for Tourism WA’s 2026-27 Regional Events Scheme close this Friday, 19 September at 5pm.    Designed to support smaller and developing regional events throughout the state, this annual program helps to attract new visitors to WA, encourages regional dispersal and stimulates local economies. This includes funding dedicated to the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme to support events that showcase and celebrate Aboriginal activities and experiences. If your event is between 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027, you can apply for funding support between $5,000-$40,000.     Find out more and apply at www.tourism.wa.gov.au/res    Photo credit: Margaret River Studios – Luke Latty

Strengthening WA’s aviation network. Tourism WA is proud to support the launch of Qantas’ new direct flights between Newcastle and Perth today, creating a major boost for WA’s domestic aviation network. This strategic route:  • Adds 23,400 inbound seats annually;  • Connects Perth directly to NSW’s Hunter Valley for the first time; and,  • Enhances access for leisure, business, and sporting events – including the future Perth Bears NRL team. The non-stop service will operate three times per week and makes it even easier for visitors to come and explore our wonderful state, generating valuable tourism dollars to support local businesses and jobs. This milestone was made possible through the support of Tourism WA in collaboration with Perth Airport, Newcastle Airport Pty Limited and Destination NSW.

This week, more than 160 cruise industry leaders were welcomed to Fremantle/Walyalup for the 27th Australian Cruise Association (ACA) Conference, marking a major moment for WA’s cruise sector. Returning to WA for the first time since 2018, the conference is a key opportunity to showcase our state’s appeal as a premier cruise destination and unlock future opportunities for regional ports. During the conference, it was also announced that the Sapphire Princess will home-port in Fremantle for the 2027–28 summer cruise season. The Princess Cruises cruise liner will undertake nine itineraries across WA during this period, which is expected to generate over $140 million in economic impact and support more than 1,000 jobs, supporting our coastal regional tourism destinations.    WA is ready to welcome the world. 

The inaugural Asia Pacific Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition Summit Western Australia (AHICE Global Hotel Industry Conferences) was held at Crown Perth this week.     As AHICE’s first-ever event in WA, this event shone the spotlight on the state’s investment potential, with conversations held between industry and government on the future needs of WA’s accommodation sector.     The half-day summit included a keynote address from the Tourism Minister, Hon. Reece Whitby MLA, and a panel discussion with industry experts, including Tourism WA’s Managing Director Anneke Brown GAICD. 

Applications are now open for Tourism WA’s 2026-27 Regional Events Scheme.     This annual $1 million funding program supports smaller and developing regional events to help attract new visitors, encourage regional dispersal, and stimulate local economies.    This funding includes $150,000 dedicated to the Regional Aboriginal Events Scheme (RAES) to support events that showcase and celebrate Aboriginal activities and experiences.       Applications are open until 19 September 2025 for event organisers to apply for funding of between $5,000 and $40,000 for events held in regional WA between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027. Find out more and apply at www.tourism.wa.gov.au/res 

Last week, Tourism WA held its second Industry Update for the year, where new CEO Chad Anderson discussed his priorities for the sector and shared his passion for tourism.     The event was a great opportunity for Tourism WA to share its newly launched Event Experience Strategy and highlights for the 2025 Dream Collective, our industry recognition program, with WA operators.    Along with the CEO, Tourism Minister Hon. Reece Whitby MLA and Tourism WA Chair Di Bain spoke at the event, providing an opportunity to connect with industry direct.    Stay up to date with the latest industry events on our website at http://bit.ly/4147Tdj

Tourism WA is inviting expressions of interest from tourism operators for the annual intake of our Trade Ready Introduction Program (TRIP).    Applications are open year-round, with the cut-off date for the 2026 program intake set for Tuesday, 30 September 2025.     TRIP provides established WA tourism operators financial assistance and support to expand into interstate and international markets through the facilitation of trade engagement opportunities.     Find out more and apply at http://bit.ly/4maH7I1