Annual Report 2001-2002 - Tourism Western Australia - The ...

Report on Operations
2001-2002 Operating Environment continued
safe, friendly holiday environment. This orientation is being pursued in harmony with
the State’s traditional tourism attractions, including heritage and industrial tourism.
A number of product niches are being developed under the umbrella of sustainable
tourism including culture, indigenous tourism, education, health, sport, wine and food,
navy/cruising, forestry, backpackers, dive and drive.
Competition for event-based tourism intensified in 2001-2002 with many countries and
cities devoting increased resources to attracting events. This continues to be a major
focus for Western Australia with sporting events that showcase the State and enhance
its image in our core markets. The WATC actively pursues major events to attract
additional visitors and provide economic benefit to the State.
Western Australia is also expected to attract an increasing share of the conference
market and, in particular, the incentive market as family friendly destinations take
precedence over exotic adventure destinations, particularly post September 11.
Opportunities have expanded in the Meetings, Incentive Conventions and Exhibitions
(MICE) sector with the commencement of the construction of the new Perth Convention
and Exhibition Centre and increased capacity at the Burswood International
Resort Casino, allowing Western Australia to bid for larger scale conferences and
exhibitions.
> Land Tax: There have been big increases in the valuation on unimproved land at
caravan parks and resorts in some shires impacting on both the price to the end
users and in some cases, the viability of operators.
> Tourism and Pastoral Leases: Access by tourist operators across pastoral leases
can impact on the lessee’s right to quiet enjoyment of their property and restricts
the use of some sections of the lease. The terms of tenure for use of the land
under pastoral leases needs to be assessed under criteria that considers favourable
economic use and future public interest.
> Airline Seats: With the demise of Ansett, Western Australia lost some of the
benefits of competition through competitively priced seats. Whilst seat capacity
has increased, tourism depends on freely available competitive priced seats which
are still short of levels provided 12 months ago.
> Regional Aviation: Access to adequately priced Regular Passenger Transport
services for remote and regional tourism destinations continues to be a huge issue
for tourism in terms of both developing new product and the viability of existing
product.
W A
All WATC campaigns will be jointly promoted through the WATC’s website
(www.westernaustralia.net) and, where appropriate, the Virtual Call Centre to capitalise
on the growing use of the internet as a marketing tool. The website will continue to be
developed as an integral marketing and promotional medium for the State.
Western Australian tourism product will also gain greater on-line exposure at both a
national and international level through the introduction of the Australian Tourism Data
Warehouse and its links with the WA Tourism Network.
Other issues include:
> Public Liability Insurance: Big increases in public liability insurance premiums
are affecting the commercial viability of many tourism businesses.
> GST on strata title accommodation developments: GST on these developments
is levied twice, once on the sale of the strata unit and again on the daily tariff charged
for short term occupancy. This is a dis-incentive to investors and has resulted in a
reduction of strata title accommodation developments in Western Australia.
Western Australian
Tourism Commission
Western Australian Tourism Commission
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Annual Report 2001-200202
Wester n Australian Tourism Commission Annual Report 2001-2002