Tourism

The state government continued the rollout of its coronavirus recovery plan over the weekend, announcing funding packages for the tourism and recreational fishing sectors.

WA has so much to offer holidaymakers, even if it needs more vision and capital works, writes Ross Taylor.

Bickley Valley is a destination many Perth people would struggle to find on a map but judging by the numbers at its wineries and restaurants last weekend, word is spreading.

With Tourism WA urging locals to “Wander Out Yonder” and take a different kind of holiday, Charles Kobelke writes about his experience exploring WA’s backyard.

Businesses throughout regional Western Australia are being inundated with Perth tourists eager to holiday in their own state.

The state government will partner with Virgin Australia to slash regional airfares until the end of October in efforts to bolster WA’s sagging tourism industry.

Music festivals, fundraisers, community fairs and marathons have been cancelled since March, but despite restrictions easing, organisers and suppliers are yet to fill their calendars.

COMO The Treasury has another award to its name, after being ranked as the best city hotel in Australia and New Zealand by a US tourism magazine.

The recent announcement of Margaret River’s first five-star resort has evoked a strong reaction from locals and businesses in the region.

The new Westin resort planned for Margaret River joins a wave of hotel developments taking shape across the state worth more than $500 million.

The Committee for Perth has renewed its push for a world-class centre for indigenous culture as part of a two-year action plan to boost the city’s international reputation. Another key recommendation was to establish Perth as a renewable energy leader.

Saracen Properties and Security Capital Australia have announced the development of a $100 million, five-star spa and resort in Margaret River, a boon for the South West region's tourism industry as it pursues a post-pandemic revival.

South West businesses are advising visitors to adjust their expectations ahead of the long weekend.

Perth Airport has resolved its recent dispute with Qantas over unpaid fees during the COVID-19 pandemic, following weeks of acrimonious brinkmanship with the nation’s flag carrier.

The state government has announced millions of dollars in grants for Western Australia’s tourism businesses, ahead of a staged reopening of the state’s regions and businesses in the coming weeks.

Perth Airport has raised the stakes in its ongoing dispute with Qantas, giving the airline until Sunday to either begin negotiating an agreement on its outstanding fees or face expulsion from the airport.

Perth Airport has hit back at Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce after he claimed the airport had refused to relieve the airline of rent and passenger fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The state government and Australian Hotels Association have partnered to roll out a mandatory COVID-19 hygiene training course, ahead of a possible reopening of Western Australia’s hospitality venues in coming months.

Representatives from the tourism and higher education sectors have today criticised aspects of the federal government’s JobKeeper program, voicing concerns that many businesses may not qualify for the wage subsidies.

Beaufort Street pub The Flying Scotsman is likely to keep its doors closed permanently in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing on social media today the venue's landlord had opted not to renew the lease.

Alasdair Malloch has transformed Whipper Snapper Distillery's business model in just two weeks, organising a joint venture with LabWest and Ferngrove Wine Group to produce medical-grade hand sanitiser for some major clients.

Online travel agency Webjet will raise $275 million and retailer Kathmandu Holdings will raise $201 million, to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses.

RAC is the latest business to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, announcing it will temporarily close all nine of its parks and resorts throughout Western Australia until May.

In a single month, the entire tourism industry has been turned on its head, with operators big and small subject to a harsh new reality.

Industry peak body Fashion Council WA entered administration on Friday, four months after private business Perth Fashion Festival suffered the same fate.

The travel industry is reeling from a decision by the US government to ban all travel from Europe for a month, while the Australian government has decided against a similar move after consideration. Shares in ASX-listed travel companies were smashed today in response to the clamp down and as travel dries up globally.

OPINION: Clear, sensible thinking and strategising are essential, both on a personal level and in business, when responding to threats posed by the coronavirus.

The state government has urged Western Australian tourism operators to bring forward deals and promotions in support of the local industry, as it launches a ‘Do it in WA’ campaign that will use existing funding.

Qantas has slashed the capacity of its international flights by almost a quarter for the next six months due to the coronavirus impact. The airline also announced cost saving measures, including cuts in salaries for its top executives.

Five Western Australian tourism businesses have received gold medals at the recent 2019 Australian Tourism Awards ceremony, with recognition for best accommodation and food tourism excellence among the winning categories.

Australian Venue Co has plans to undertake $2 million of renovations for the Victoria Park Hotel, which it bought last year as part of a $200 million purchase of Coles’ portfolio of pubs and restaurants.

Australia's four major airports achieved record profit in the past financial year, according to the ACCC, with Perth Airport touting its high passenger satisfaction relative to its counterparts on the east coast.