7/11/04
Tourism Minister Bob Kucera today congratulated the tourism industry in Mandurah for its work in winning the 2004 GWN Brand WA Top Tourism Town award.
The annual awards, co-ordinated by the Visitor Centre Association of WA, were announced last night in Kalbarri.
Mr Kucera said this was the second year in a row Mandurah had been recognised for its efforts to ensure visitors to the town had the best possible experience.
“Mandurah is not only an attractive town to visit, it is one that benefits from the united approach taken by the local community,” he said.
“Mandurah understands that tourism is everyone’s business.
“Tourism is vital to regional communities and the Gallop Government’s bold plan to have 100,000 people employed in tourism and related industries within five years would boost employment and business opportunities across the State.”
Mr Kucera said the Gallop Government could put funds into tourism because it ran surplus budgets, unlike the Coalition which had five deficit budgets and ran down the State.
He said the Government had put money into creating new national parks and up-grading facilities, funding $3million worth of improvements to visitor centres and launching a $2.75million branding campaign - ‘The Real Thing’ - to promote WA as the iconic Australian holiday experience.
There were 15 entrants in this year’s awards, highlighting the range of activities under way throughout the State to attract visitors to country towns.
Other towns recognised with commendations at the awards were Kalbarri, Geraldton, Exmouth and Wickepin. Collie also received a marketing package to help promote the upcoming ‘Rock-n-Coal’ festival in March 2005.
“These awards demonstrate we have great people and a great product to sell to local, interstate and overseas visitors,” the Minister said.
“Our people and our State are two of the components that make us ‘The Real Thing’.
“Tourism is a key economic driver for the State, earning $3.6billion a year in visitor expenditure.”
Minister's office: 9213 7000
