The West Australian government is making a mistake cutting tourism funding by more than $20 million at a time when it should be boosted to make up for the loss of the mining boom's riches, says the industry's peak body.
WA had a four per cent decline in international visitor expenditure in 2015 compared to dramatic growth on the east coast, with Victoria up 30 per cent and NSW and Queensland both 19 per cent better, according to the latest International Visitor Survey by Tourism Research Australia.
"Tourism Western Australia's funding is set to plunge from $89.1 million in 2015-16 to $68.1 million in 2018-19 - this is simply the wrong direction if Western Australia is serious about diversifying its economy away from mining," Tourism and Transport Forum chief executive Margy Osmond said.
"We now have more than one million Chinese visitors coming to Australia spending a record $8.3 billion over the past 12 months - that's a lucrative, high-yield market for Western Australia to be tapping into with a reinvigorated and well-funded marketing strategy."
With a number of major hotel chains planning four, five and even six star hotels in Perth, the capital could be positioned as a gateway to major destinations such as Broome, Ningaloo and Margaret River.
"Western Australia's visitor economy is well-positioned to see a significant uplift in international visitor expenditure if the Government is willing to back the industry with a strong investment in Tourism Western Australia," she said.
