News Articles for Paul Papalia

The state government and Activate Perth announced a series of 'coloured activations' this morning, ahead of an upcoming 10-day visit from Manchester United Football Club.

FIRM Construction has begun work this week on the redevelopment and expansion of Prendiville Group's Hotel Rottnest.

The number of international tourists visiting Western Australia has hit record levels, but overall international visitors to the state, including students, have declined.

SPECIAL REPORT: A strong network has developed in WA to help local businesses gain access to defence opportunities across the country.

The state government has taken a first step to protect subcontractors by introducing a bill to establish a specialist investigations unit within the Small Business Development Commission.

The state government will assist potential operators of new tourist attractions to navigate the approvals process, following an industry campaign to reduce the red tape stifling the sector.

The federal government has pledged $17.2 million in funding for Rottnest Island, while the state government also announced today it would inject $16.2 million into the holiday destination.

Western Australia recorded its highest-ever number of international holidaymakers in 2018, but total spending from international visitors declined slightly over the year, as fewer people took working holidays or visited friends and relatives in the state, according to Tourism Research Australia.

A $650 million development proposed to be built on the Burswood Peninsula promises to solve the fundamental problem with Western Australian tourism by bringing the state's most unique indigenous experiences and natural attractions to the inner city.

Tennis Australia and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia have today officially confirmed the demise of the Hopman Cup, to be replaced by a men's ATP Cup from January next year.

Premier Mark McGowan and Tourism Minister Paul Papalia have unveiled a $12 million spending boost for tourism and events marketing, but there remains a gap between Western Australia's total tourism budget and those of the big-spending eastern states.

OPINION: The clash between domestic politics and international climate-change law was on stark display in WA last week as the EPA weighed in with an emissions recommendation.

The Perth-based Australian subsidiary of Phoenix International has secured a contract with the Royal Australian Navy.

Western Australian tourism businesses have won 16 medals at the 2018 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards, the largest medal haul for the state since the awards' inception in 1985.

After opening the first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel in Australia, hotels developer SKS Group is advancing a raft of new Perth projects.

The International Cricket Council has overlooked Perth Stadium to host a finals fixture when the women's and men's Twenty20 World Cups are staged next year, on the same day the state government announced the stadium is a key part of its tourism strategy.

The number of visitors to Rottnest Island grew by 15 per cent to 769,000 in 2018 as construction of the Discovery ‘glamping' village approaches completion.

Subcontractors WA chair Louise Stewart has welcomed the state government's decision to expand the use of project bank accounts (PBAs) to protect subcontractors, but is pushing for the introduction of legally binding statutory trusts.

International tourists spent nearly $250 million less in Western Australia during the 2018 financial year than during the previous 12 months, new data from Tourism Research Australia shows.

Dredging a second channel into Garden Island and major road upgrades could be priorities in a Henderson precinct master plan to be drafted by the state government in 2019, while Defence Minister Chris Pyne today announced a new $200 million vessel will be built at the yards.

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia says an international campaign promoting driving holidays in Western Australia launched today by the state government will encourage visitation to the state.

The state government has announced it will proceed with the sale of gaming agency TAB and introduce a new 15 per cent consumption tax on all betting in Western Australia.

Perth has been named host city for next year's Dreamtime tourism showcase, Australia's major event for promoting Australia as a world-class incentive destination to overseas travel sellers and buyers.

US tennis star Serena Williams is the latest high-profile player to commit to the upcoming Hopman Cup, with the news coinciding with data showing an increase in the number of tourist visits to Western Australia.

SPECIAL REPORT: Accommodation groups are betting on international students returning to Perth.

SPECIAL REPORT: The state government is spearheading programs to build interest in WA as a preferred leisure destination within Australia and overseas.

Former Association of Surfing Professionals chief executive Brodie Carr has been appointed as Tourism WA's new managing director.

The Brand Agency has launched a destination marketing division, headed by former Tourism WA chief executive Gwyn Dolphin.

Queensland-based The Tourism Group is set to become the new operator of the Western Australian Visitor Centre in the Perth CBD after winning a state government contract.

The state government has announced a partnership with Qantas that will provide discounted airfares for flights to Broome in an effort to boost regional tourism.

The McGowan government says it will set up a taskforce to investigate establishing a pilot training academy in Western Australia, after Qantas today launched a formal request for proposals from state governments across the country.

The state government has today announced plans for a major upgrade of Hotel Rottnest, while construction of the $20 million Pinky Beach eco village project, being completed by a joint venture between Baileys Group and Discovery Parks, has begun.

The remainder of the 2018 Margaret River Pro has been cancelled and the future of the World Surf League event may be in jeopardy due to fears of shark attacks.

The tourism industry has thrown its support behind the government's new two-year plan to increase visitation to Western Australia, but says the plan needs to be backed with the right leadership, skills and financial resources.

Cruise ship operator Princess Cruises has announced Fremantle as the home port for its Sun Princess superliner for a record period in 2019-20, following a series of upgrades to the state's ports by the government.

Western Australia was the only state in the country to register a decline in international tourist numbers and spending in 2017 despite the national market recording steady growth, according to the latest data from Tourism Research Australia.

The state government has completed its analysis of potential sale options of the TAB wagering business, with a two-phase consultation process with the racing industry now set to take place to determine a final outcome.

The state government has launched a new tourism marketing campaign for Perth focused on affordable hotel deals for east coast tourists.

Perth has been selected to host 11 matches during the International Cricket Council World T20 tournament in 2020, in line with the country's other major cities.

The state government has announced six more local businesses that will operate at the new $75 million Yagan Square development, set to be opened next month.