More than $500,000 worth of free tourism vouchers will be handed out at Perth Airport this week to welcome interstate and international arrivals - providing a major boost to local tourism operators as borders ease.
The McGowan Government promotion, through Tourism WA, will begin after midnight on March 3 and encourage visitors to support local tour and experience businesses during their trip to Western Australia.
The campaign will provide 3,400 'Gifts From Western Australia' two-person vouchers, ranging in value from $150 to $2,200 for a three-day tour of Margaret River.
The vouchers offer tourism experiences from about 20 different operators, including skydiving at Rottnest Island, swimming with dolphins or touring Penguin Island, as well as sunset stargazing at the Pinnacles.
The giveaway includes 1,000 vouchers for StudyPerth to target to international students.
Tourism WA is also delivering 200 toy quokkas to Qantas to be distributed on the first flights from Sydney and Melbourne, promoting Rottnest Island and 'The World's Happiest Animal' to WA arrivals.
WA's full border opening will allow for safe travel from interstate and overseas from 12.01am March 3, with vaccination and testing requirements on arrival - the softest landing off the back of WA's world-leading vaccination rate.
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Western Australia is a safe, vibrant and friendly place to visit and live - full of opportunity for everyone and offering some of the most remarkable tourism experiences on Earth.
"When interstate and international travel returns in full on March 3, we want to encourage visitors to experience all we can offer, while ensuring local tourism operators enjoy the benefits.
"Western Australia's management of COVID-19 has always focused on saving lives and protecting jobs, with more than $1.6 billion of business assistance provided throughout the pandemic.
"This approach will continue as Western Australia enters this next phase - with the Reconnect WA package providing significant investment in tourism, international education, securing interstate and international flight routes, business events, and attracting skilled and unskilled workers to WA.
"WA's approach has ensured the State stayed open and lockdown-free for the vast majority of the past two years, delivering strong economic and health results throughout the pandemic.
"Western Australia's world-leading vaccination rates put us in the best position to manage COVID as borders open and we safely welcome visitors.
"As we enter this next phase, we will continue to provide the necessary support to local businesses and promote Western Australia as an ideal place to visit, invest and live."
As stated by Tourism Minister Roger Cook:
"The McGowan Government is proud to present visitors with these 'Gifts from Western Australia' - the first of many initiatives to attract international and interstate visitors back to our State.
"Western Australia is a place like no other, and these vouchers will encourage the first arrivals to explore the stunning coastlines, famous food and wine, unique art and culture, and ancient Aboriginal history.
"The vouchers, through Tourism WA, will also support and promote various tourism operators in Perth and the surrounding regions to thousands of incoming visitors."
As stated by International Education Minister David Templeman:
"The McGowan Government is welcoming back international students with open arms and recently launched a one-stop online shop to help students navigate travel and health requirements.
"It also includes important information on the Government's support programs for international students and a direct booking service to arrange flights.
"The portal has already been viewed by thousands of students across 27 countries, demonstrating the real interest in studying in Western Australia."
