The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed the $185 million Reconnect WA package, which will provide significant support to WA’s hotel, hospitality, conference and events industry as interstate and international borders reopen.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods said the investment will underpin the important recovery ahead, providing WA with a competitive edge to help rebound strongly from the pandemic.
“As WA open its borders it is essential that we re-establish relationships and seize new opportunities as quickly as possible, as we will be entering a hyper-competitive international tourism market – the $65 million aviation fund announced today will help us achieve this,” Mr Woods said.
“WA boasted record levels of interstate and international visitation just prior to the pandemic and the reasons that underpin our popularity as a destination have not changed.
“The $65 million marketing campaign was required to let the world know WA is open for business, backed up with the financial horsepower we require to lure back tourists, workers, students and events.”
“We welcome the fact that the package is multi-faceted, with an investment in aviation recovery complemented by substantial marketing campaign funds, vouchers for visitors, $1,500 accommodation allowances for international students and support to attract events to WA.”
“The $15 million to target the business events market and the $9 million to attract blockbuster international events will help deliver a direct and significant boost to WA’s accommodation and hospitality industry and in particular, Perth’s CBD hotels who have borne the brunt of the pandemic.”
“The decision to keep borders has been overwhelmingly successful but it has come at a cost, necessitating the strong investment we see in today’s package – one that will ensure WA’s accommodation and hospitality industry can make up lost ground and rebound strongly.”
