Perth Stadium could deliver more than $291 million and 1,300 jobs each year to the Western Australian economy, however it will need to start bidding for major events now and market the stadium's potential ready for its 2018 opening.
The state government's strategy to double the value of the tourism industry to $12 billion by 2020 is on track (at $8.3 billion), however, the peak industry body is calling on a higher investment in marketing.
With the convention market in Perth showing no signs of slowing, the focus has turned to the city's largest venues and their capacity to attract major national and international events.
Perth Airport's ambitious 20-year redevelopment plan has received federal regulatory approval, paving the way for the construction of a third runway and the Forrestfield Airport Link underground ra
The tourism industry has called for the state government to do more to take advantage of a sharp fall in occupancy and room rates in the state's accommodation sector.
Domestic tourists spent $4.6 billion while visiting Western Australia in the year to September, which was 12 per cent more than the previous year and three times the average increase nationally.
The number of international visitors to Western Australia each year has surpassed 800,000, with the state again recording the highest average trip expenditure per visitor for the country.
The state government has responded to 141 recommendations to improve Western Australia's liquor laws, with extended trading hours and red tape reduction key wins for the industry.
Margaret River's annual food and wine festival has secured backing from the state government for at least another three years, with the funding commitment announced ahead of the event this weekend.
Tourism body Australia's NorthWest has wrapped up a three-year campaign marketing the Kimberley region by winning a top prize at this year's state tourism awards.
Virgin Australia today announced it would reduce its scheduled flights between Perth and Albany, and Perth and Esperance, from three to two each weekday.
The look of the new 60,000-seat Perth stadium to be built in Burswood was unveiled today by Premier Colin Barnett, who guaranteed it would be open in time for the 2018 AFL season.
The state government is looking at new ways to stoke tourism-related development on Western Australia's coastline, with the Abrolhos Islands and Coral Bay identified as priority areas.
The state government will invest $21 million in preparation work for the new Museum of Western Australia in the 2014-15 financial year - starting with an upgrade of the Welshpool Collections and Re
Transport infrastructure, hotel and conference capacity, and red tape in the approvals process for new tours have been identified as the biggest barriers to attracting an additional 9 million visit
SPECIAL REPORT: Perth hotels have varied their marketing message to attract more of the leisure market, but new developments will present additional challenges.
International resorts giant Westin will gain a foothold in Perth's hotel market, with BGC Development unveiling a $500 million development plan for the old Perth Fire Station site on Hay Street.
Interstate business travel into Western Australia has fallen 6 per cent during the past year, and much of the blame is being sheeted home to the drop in resources activity.
WESTERN Australia's tourism industry has struggled recently as the high Australian dollar proves a barrier to inbound visitors and encourages locals to travel overseas.
