15/10/00
Cultural heritage is a tourism growth area, Tourism Minister Norman Moore said today.
Mr Moore was speaking at the official opening of the Albert Facey homestead, which has been relocated to the Wickepin townsite.
Albert Facey’s amazing story was told through his best-selling biography, A Fortunate Life, and a telemovie based on the book.
Mr Moore said many tourists looked for destinations with historical attractions.
He said that for towns like Wickepin, regional tourism meant income and jobs for the local community.
“Tourism generates more than $2 billion a year to the Western Australian economy and employs more than 70,000 people,” the Minister said.
"That’s about twice the number of people employed in our mining industry.
“It translates into about one in every 12 workers in the State relying on tourism for their income.”
Mr Moore said that from a regional perspective, the impact of tourism was even more significant, with 5,500 new jobs created in the past 12 months.
“That’s why it is so encouraging to see Wickepin recognise the tourism potential of the Albert Facey homestead,” he said.
“You have ensured that its historical integrity is maintained and that the homestead becomes a key part of your town.”
Media contact: Hartley Joynt, Minister’s office, 9321 1444
