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| Tourism Council Western Australia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Tourism Council Western Australia |
| Formation | 1980s |
| Type | Industry association |
| Headquarters | Perth, Western Australia |
| Region served | Western Australia |
| Leader title | Chief Executive |
| Affiliations | Australian Tourism Industry Council, Western Australian Tourism Commission |
Tourism Council Western Australia Tourism Council Western Australia is a peak industry association representing tourism businesses and stakeholders across Western Australia. The council liaises with state and national bodies, promotes regional destinations, and provides research and advocacy for operators, linking sectors such as hospitality, aviation, and events. It operates within a landscape shaped by public agencies, private enterprises, and community groups active in Western Australian tourism development.
The council traces roots to industry responses to deregulation and market liberalisation in the 1980s, aligning with trends seen in organisations such as the Australian Tourism Industry Council, Tourism Australia, Western Australian Tourism Commission, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, and regional bodies like South West Development Commission and Pilbara Development Commission. Early milestones include campaigns contemporaneous with the expansion of carriers like Qantas and Virgin Australia and with infrastructure projects involving Perth Airport and port facilities at Fremantle Harbour. The council's formation paralleled peak body developments in states such as New South Wales and Victoria, and its history intersects with national policy events including the introduction of the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement and debates over visa regimes involving Department of Home Affairs (Australia). Throughout the 1990s and 2000s the council engaged with initiatives connected to major events like the America's Cup, the Commonwealth Games, and festivals run in partnership with local governments including City of Perth and regional local government associations.
The council is governed by a board drawn from tourism operators, hoteliers, tour operators, and regional representatives, mirroring governance models used by bodies such as Tourism Accommodation Australia and Australian Hotels Association. Its constitution sets membership categories similar to those of Australian Tourism Export Council and includes subcommittees on sectors akin to aviation and events. Senior staff have liaised with ministers in portfolios such as Minister for Tourism (Western Australia) and state agencies including the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation. The organisation coordinates with regional tourism organisations like Northern Tourism Organisation and industry councils such as Regional Capitals Australia and national entities including Tourism Research Australia for research and compliance alignment with laws like the Australian Consumer Law.
The council functions as an industry peak body offering representation, stakeholder consultation, market intelligence, and safety guidance, paralleling roles performed by National Farmers' Federation for agriculture and Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for business. It provides advisory services on matters touching infrastructure projects like expansions at Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and transport links involving Indian Ocean Drive and interstate corridors to Albany, Western Australia and Broome. The organisation issues industry bulletins on regulatory matters involving authorities such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and contributes to destination marketing discussions alongside Tourism Australia and state tourism agencies.
Advocacy by the council has targeted policy settings on air access, visa arrangements, seasonal workforce issues, and taxation, engaging with federal entities like the Treasury (Australia) and state legislators in the Parliament of Western Australia. The council has made submissions to inquiries run by bodies such as the Senate Select Committee on Tourism and has campaigned on infrastructure funding alongside local councils like Shire of Broome and development commissions. It collaborates with industry unions such as the Australian Workers' Union where workforce matters intersect and with education providers including Edith Cowan University and Curtin University on training pathways.
Programs include destination stewardship schemes, training partnerships, crisis response frameworks, and promotional campaigns tied to events such as the Margaret River Gourmet Escape and cultural festivals at The Art Gallery of Western Australia. Initiatives have included collaboration on sustainability programs aligned with conservation groups such as the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (Western Australia) and tourism operators in protected areas like Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park. The council has supported digital adoption projects echoing national initiatives like the Digital Transformation Agency's objectives and worked with campaign partners from the events sector including Perth International Arts Festival.
Membership spans regional tourism organisations, hotel groups, independent operators, inbound tour wholesalers, and transport providers including cruise operators visiting ports such as Fremantle and Port Hedland. The council facilitates networking events with stakeholders from associations such as Australian Tourism Export Council, Tourism Accommodation Australia, and regional business chambers. It runs accreditation support services comparable to programs from Quality Tourism Framework providers and collaborates with marketing bodies like South West Tourism and Destination Perth to engage visitor economy partners.
The council influences policy and investment decisions that affect visitor numbers, yield, and employment across sectors tied to tourism economics documented by Tourism Research Australia and state treasury analyses. Its advocacy has supported infrastructure projects that underpin growth in destinations linking to supply chains in mining service towns like Karratha and agricultural regions near Margaret River, contributing to broader economic agendas championed by regional development bodies. By coordinating industry response to crises—ranging from health emergencies overseen by agencies like the Department of Health (Western Australia) to natural disasters managed with emergency services such as Bush Fire Centre—the council plays a role in resilience and recovery for Western Australian tourism.
Category:Tourism in Western Australia