The latest International Visitor Survey results for the year ending March 2019 show the number of holiday makers travelling from overseas has grown by 9.3%. Spending by these holiday makers has increased by 14.8%.
The State Government's funding boost has given the tourism industry an immediate boost in confidence as well. The industry is cooperatively investing more alongside Government in attracting holiday makers, which is starting to show results, Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall said.
"We congratulate the State Government on boosting funding to attract international holiday makers, and urge them to continue this approach," he said.
"The investment by both Government and industry in tourism marketing is paying off, increasing the number of holiday makers to WA and how much they're spending."
Overall visitation to WA includes holiday makers, those visiting friends and relatives, business travellers and event delegates, and international students. Visitors travelling for a holiday make up just under half of all international visitors to Western Australia.
While holiday makers increased, overall international visitation declined by 1.2%, resulting in $37million less entering the economy from visitor spending, putting downward pressure on jobs. Of chief concern contributing to the decline is a reduction in international students and the friends and relatives they attract to the State.
"International education is an important contributor to the State economy. Not only are international students high-spending visitors who creates jobs, they also attract friends and relatives who come to visit them while they study in WA," Mr Hall said.
"The industry calls on the State Government to review migration and visa arrangements to make Perth a more competitive destination for international students."
