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

Chairman’s Year in Review
W A
The Western Australian Tourism Commission achieved
significant results during a year in which the tourism
industry faced extraordinary and unprecedented
challenges.
The September 11 attacks in New York followed by the Ansett collapse, just
three days later, presented the industry with a catastrophic and potentially
crippling blow. The Western Australian Government, Western Australian
Tourism Commission (WATC) and Tourism Council Western Australia (TCWA)
responded quickly. Intrastate, interstate and international tourism offices
developed strategic marketing strategies to accelerate a recovery.
While some areas of tourism are still experiencing difficulties, the industry can
look forward to strong opportunities for growth over the medium to longer term,
stimulating new investments and creating new job opportunities, especially in
regional Western Australia. In environmentally sensitive areas, tourism can
also help neutralise land and resource use conflict by offering sustainable
alternatives.
The Tourism Forecasting Council expects about 10.4 million people a year to
visit Australia by 2012, double the current number of visitors. It is important
that strategies are implemented to ensure WA has the infrastructure necessary
to meet this demand. Areas that need to be addressed are accommodation,
transport, roads and energy and resource consumption. To achieve this goal, it
will be necessary to cement relationships between the WATC and tourism industry
partners as well as the broader business community.
In line with State Government policy and industry directions, the WATC is
developing product that meets future tourism needs. The increased interest
in nature-based attractions is important and it is Western Australia’s rich biodiversity
and pristine eco-systems that set it apart and provide the scope for
product differentiation. The State is now well positioned to establish itself as a
world-premiere nature-based holiday destination with a diversity of product and
attractions.
Air access continues to be a high priority for tourism in Western Australia,
particularly following the collapse of Ansett and the impact of September 11.
The State Government, WATC and the tourism industry have worked with Qantas
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
to retain direct non-stop services from Japan and introduce direct services from
Paris and Rome to Perth. The WATC played a major role in securing Emirates
by actively encouraging the airline to introduce a new four day a week non-stop
service from Dubai to Perth.
Domestic air capacity has been gradually increased with Qantas adding many
new services to both interstate and regional networks. WATC has worked closely
with Virgin Blue to encourage its entry into the State with services from Adelaide,
Melbourne and, more recently, Sydney. QantasLink and Skywest have now added
new intrastate services on routes previously operated by Ansett.
Notwithstanding these increases, it is imperative for the ongoing viability and
growth of tourism in Western Australia that every effort is made to increase
international and domestic seat capacity.
2001-2002 was the second year of the Partnership 21 five-year strategic plan.
A review of the strategy is underway to ensure the Commission’s plan for the
growth of tourism meets the demands of Government, industry and the Western
Australian community.
This review is particularly important as it will provide a knowledge platform
from which the Commission can develop, implement and measure initiatives
and resource usage. The review outcomes will encompass the full spectrum
of Commission responsibilities. This involves closer working partnerships with
regions, government agencies, major events and the convention industry.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation of the contribution made by the
Board and Advisory Council members during 2001-2002.
On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank the management team, staff and
contractors of the Commission. The WATC’s ability to achieve significant results
in such a difficult environment is directly due to the professionalism, dedication
and commitment demonstrated by the Commission team during the past year.
Alan Mulgrew
CHAIRMAN
30 August 2002