5/7/04
Visitor centres across the State have been granted more than $400,000 to ensure they can help tourists explore more of their region and have a better tourist experience.
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera said the funding was part of the State Government’s $2million support to visitor centres.
“The commitment is important because tourism is a key economic driver for the State economy, employing 72,000 people and generating $3.6billion each year,” Mr Kucera said.
“Visitor centres play a valuable part in ensuring that visitors have the best possible experience while in Western Australia.
“A visitor servicing study undertaken recently shows just how important the centres are in terms of adding value to time spent by visitors in our great State.
“There are 94 of our 101 visitor centres located in regional WA. They play a big role in driving regional tourism because they are a key way of providing visitors with information about local tourist experiences.”
The funding - the third round under the $2million commitment - provides $406,000 for 39 visitor centres and association groups under the State Government’s country visitor centre sustainability and enhancement scheme.
The major portion of the grants - totalling $187,000 - will be used by the Visitor Centre Association of WA to fund the Top Tourism Town Awards, the annual Visitor Centre Conference and conduct an advertising campaign.
Funding to regional centres is focussed on projects that develop common infrastructure such as on-line information and reservations systems, training and visitor information.
“The scheme is designed to help visitor centres with projects that will enhance their long-term sustainability,” Mr Kucera said.
Local government authorities or community organisations in each town run visitor centres and tourist bureaux. The State and Federal Governments provide additional support for specific programs.
Successful visitor centres are at Bridgetown Greenbushes, Broome, Busselton, Bunbury, Collie, Coolgardie, Denmark, Derby, Donnybrook Balingup, Dryandra, Dunsborough, Esperance, Fitzroy Crossing, Geraldton, Harvey, Kalbarri, Kalgoorlie Boulder, Kojonup, Kununurra, Mandurah, Margaret River, Nannup, Northampton, Pinnacles, Boddington, Merredin, Mingenew, Moora, Morawa, Perenjori, Three Springs, Toodyay, Tom Price, Walpole-Nornalup and York.
Minister's Office - 9213 7000
