Margaret River and Southern Western Australia, including as far south as Albany and across to Cape Arid National Park, has today been announced as this year's number one Asian-Pacific destination by leading global travel authority, Lonely Planet.
Expanded this year to include Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific for the first time, 'Best in Asia Pacific' is Lonely Planet's annual online list of the region's 10 best destinations to visit over the coming year.
The Margaret River and Southern WA region was selected by Lonely Planet's team of independent travel experts because of its breathtaking beaches, long-stretching coastline, award-winning wineries, breweries and restaurants, tall-tree forests and abundant farmland.
Lonely Planet also attributed food festivals, such as the State Government-sponsored Margaret River Gourmet Escape (now Western Australia Gourmet Escape), Truffle Kerfuffle and Taste Great Southern; world-class surf; whale-watching; and coastal walks as reasons the region gained the prized top spot on the list.
In the year ending December 2018, the Australia's South-West region had 3,371,100 visitors who spent $1.61 billion. Margaret River alone had 1,690,800 visitors in the same period - an increase of 8.9 per cent on the previous year.
Other destinations to make the top 10 list include Shikoku, Japan; Bay of Islands and Northland, New Zealand; Singapore; the Cook Islands; Central Vietnam; Fiji; Palawan, Philippines; Beijing, China and Cambodia.
Lonely Planet's 'Best in Asia Pacific 2019' is available online, with accompanying articles to each destination at https://www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-asia-pacific
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"It's so exciting to hear Margaret River and Southern WA have been announced as the top destination in the Asia Pacific for 2019 by Lonely Planet.
"This is such fantastic recognition of one of WA's most popular tourism destinations - one that holds a special place in the heart of all Western Australians.
"This destination is renowned for its spectacular coastline, stunning forests and world-class food and wine.
"The south-west of WA is more than just a destination - it's a hotspot for once-in-a-lifetime experiences - and it's wonderful that a travel organisation as reputable as Lonely Planet agrees with these sentiments.
"This accolade will give the region even more exposure in our key international markets, such as Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong."
