Coalition’s Northern Australia policy offers opportunities for tourism & hospitality

The Coalition’s Northern Australia Policy announced today will support the development of Western Australia’s northern tourism and hospitality business industry.

Australian Hotels Association (WA) CEO, Bradley Woods, said “the north of Western Australia offers great potential for developing global tourism visitation and this has been recognised under the Coalition’s Northern Australia Policy announced today.

“The Coalition’s policy capitalises on the opportunities presented by the increased affluence of Asia, its proximity and ageing population. Together with a targeted and properly funded international tourism marketing campaign, we will see substantial increases in tourism visitation and export earnings for the Australian economy.

“The recognition of the need to invest in tourism infrastructure in key destinations as well as other essential services, will result in the North West becoming a more attractive and accessible destination.

Mr Woods said “Northern Australia is a unique economic and geographic zone and this is the first step in addressing the unfulfilled tourism and hospitality capacity of this important region.

“Without incentives such as zone tax rebates, it may be difficult to deliver private sector investment and the population movement necessary to fulfill the huge tourism and hospitality potential that is on offer in Northern Australia.

“The AHA will strongly contribute and support the development of a Commonwealth White Paper to ensure government investment and support, of northern Western Australia is equitably represented,” Mr Woods said.

Source: Australian Hotels Association WA Branch, 21 June 2013