TDP Experience Perth - Tourism Western Australia

Government’s role in Destination Development
In order to engage in destination development and rejuvenation, the government’s
provision and facilitation of infrastructure and product which both service visitor
needs and encourage private investment in tourism product is seen as essential.
Without infrastructure such as airports, roads, power, water, sewerage, electricity and
telecommunication, investors are generally unwilling to invest in tourism product.
In Western Australia, the capacity of the private sector to finance the development
of basic economic infrastructure such as roads and utilities is restricted by the
size and nature of the tourism industry. There are an estimated 4,000 tourism
businesses in Western Australia, the majority of which are small to medium sized
enterprises. 2 Competition between operators and the destinations in which they
are based is intense.
In many areas of Western Australia tourism is seasonal, with visitation varying
significantly depending on the time of the year.
Construction and operating costs in remote areas such as the North West and
Ningaloo are extremely high and land costs in many destinations (particularly in
coastal destinations) are impacting on the business case for investments. These
issues can have a huge impact on the profitability of tourism operators.
As a result of the fragmented, remote and seasonal nature of the tourism industry,
it is understood that the government has a significant role to play in destination
development. Specifically, it is understood that the public sector has a role in
creating a favourable environment for tourism development through infrastructure
investment that supports development of product. A range of government
agencies contribute to this process, including Tourism WA, Department of
Planning, Department of Environment and Conservation, Department of Regional
Development and Lands, Regional Development Commissions, Department of
Training, Department of State Development and many more.
Experience Perth
Tourism Western Australia | Tourism Development Priorities
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