Tourism Planning Taskforce Report - Western Australian Planning ...

Chapter 2State tourist accommodation industryAchievement of this growth will requireinvestment in sufficient infrastructure,attractions, accommodation and other tourismfacilities. In addition, the retention of WesternAustralia’s natural attractions and character isnecessary, to ensure the State remains aspopular a destination in 10 years’ time. Theprivate sector usually will provide the facilitiesneeded by tourists if there is confidence infuture demand and project viability, and thepublic sector has played its part. Public sectorinvestment required includes new roads totourism attractions, sealing of existing gravelroads, upgrading of airports and air services,provision of marinas, and generaldevelopment of tourism facilities.International travel and tourism are linkedstrongly to the world business cycle. Risingincomes, reduced restrictions on travellersleaving certain countries, worldwidemarketing, a low oil price relative to Europe,favourable exchange rate and increasedawareness of Western Australia’s, uniqueenvironment and tourism character all havecontributed to a growing influx of visitors.On the other hand, the world business cycle issusceptible to extreme events such as theterrorist attack on the USA on 11 September2001, and the SARS outbreak. FollowingSeptember 11, international travel decreasedsignificantly as people’s confidence in aviationsafety plummeted. However, domestic tourismincreased as Australians chose to take theirholidays within Australia. In some areas ofWestern Australia, particularly the South-West,domestic visitor numbers increased after 11September 2001.The local industry also is vulnerable to majorupsets in the business world. The collapse ofAnsett Airlines on 14 September 2001disrupted domestic air travel. Tourismbusinesses in the north of Western Australiawere particularly disadvantaged as themajority of routes and scheduled services tothe area were operated by Ansett and itssubsidiaries.2.2.5 Future development needs oftourism industryA successful tourism industry requires aparticular combination of attractions, facilitiesand services to meet the needs of tourists.Tourism planning can be considered in termsof five groupings - attractions, access,accommodation, amenities and activities.These five “As” of tourism have been used asa framework to identify and address thedevelopment needs of the tourism industry inWestern Australia.AttractionsTourists are motivated to visit a destination byits natural and built attractions. To besustainable, attractions need to be unique,authentic and marketable. They also need tohave sufficient controls in place so that thetourism volume is sustainable in the long termwithout damaging the quality of the attraction.Western Australia is fortunate to have a widerange of natural features, which are strongattractors for the international market. Many ofthe State’s natural attractions are located innational parks, which come under theresponsibility of the Department ofConservation and Land Management (CALM),which provides an essential service to touristsand much of the success of tourism inWestern Australia depends of the resourcesallocated to CALM to maintain its existingattractions and develop new ones.Perth is the major gateway for internationaland domestic visitors and will continue to playa critical role in the development of tourism inWestern Australia. Although the State has awide range of natural attractions, major builtattractions in and around Perth are in shortsupply compared with most other Australiancapitals. More attractions are needed,particularly those which promote the State’sindigenous and multicultural background andits outback heritage.AccessAir: Perth often is described as the mostisolated capital city in the world. Air access isa critical component in the development oftourism in Western Australia. A key toincreased international visitor numbers is tohave more airlines with more seats flying frommore countries. Such diversification will assistin protecting Western Australia from the moresevere effects of one airline deciding toreduce or terminate its flights to Perth.10 Tourism Planning Taskforce Report