Hertz Australia and the McGowan Government have partnered to offer discounted car rentals between Perth and Exmouth, and Perth and Parabadoo, as part of a two-year trial.
The trial is expected to boost holiday travel and road trips between the metropolitan area and the North West, and encourage people to extend trips further out into regional Western Australia.
This interstate-focused partnership will complement the McGowan Government's just-announced intrastate marketing campaign, Do it in WA - the biggest in the State's history.
Throughout the trial period, Hertz will significantly reduce its relocation fee on selected vehicles for one-way rentals from Perth to Exmouth, and from Exmouth to Perth, from April 1 to October 31 in 2020 and 2021.
During off-peak times - November 1 to March 30 - the relocation fee will remain at the reduced rate for rentals from Exmouth to Perth.
Hertz will also offer reduced relocation fees for one-way rentals between Exmouth and Paraburdoo, and Perth and Paraburdoo, during the off-peak season, to encourage self-drive tours to Karijini National Park.
The deal also includes marketing to promote the one-way rental offer to domestic customers, including wholesalers and inbound tour operators.
The latest deal comes on the back of a partnership between Qantas and the State Government, through Tourism WA, offering special weekend fares between Perth and Exmouth.
The special fares are $169 one-way from April 10 to October 12, 2020 on selected flights taken from Friday through Monday, when booked 45 days ahead of travel.
Regional tourism organisations Australia's Coral Coast and Australia's North West will also provide marketing support through trade awareness and training, including promotion of the one-way deals through their own channels and activities.
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
"While we're encouraging locals to Do it in WA, we're also continuing to focus on the opportunities in the east coast market.
"We know many Australians will be looking to holiday at home this year - and we want them to take a trip west.
"We're pleased to provide support to Hertz Australia to market this one-way car rental offer between Perth and Exmouth, and Perth and Paraburdoo, over the next couple of years.
"Exmouth, with its close proximity and access to Ningaloo Reef, is one of Western Australia's iconic tourism experiences and this one-way drive offer will make the region even more attractive and accessible to thousands of visitors.
"With the extension of the offer to Paraburdoo, it will also benefit the North-West region, allowing visitors to venture out to spectacular regional destinations such as Karijini National Park.
"This deal is about providing timely support to regional economies in our North-West - including hotels, restaurants, tour operators and other small businesses.
"I encourage anyone who is thinking of holidaying in these regions to do it by car - to experience all the truly amazing natural and cultural attractions along the way."
