Premier Mark McGowan has officially opened the newly upgraded RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin resort after it received a $20 million makeover.
The redevelopment has expanded the property from four hectares to nine, added 12 new family beach villas, 117 more powered campsites, an additional 14 powered sites with ensuites and 80 unpowered camping sites.
The extra accommodation options mean the resort can now house up to 1,000 guests at any one time, an increase from an original 600 people.
Along with the additional accommodation options, the resort now boasts a new 23-metre swimming pool, a new playground and new reception, office and retail spaces.
The Monkey Mia airport, owned by RAC, has recently had its airstrip widened from 23 metres to 30 metres, with half of the funding provided by the RAC and half provided by the Department of Transport's Regional Airports Development Scheme.
Visitors to Monkey Mia began benefiting from discounted airfares in July after the McGowan Government signed an agreement with Regional Express (REX) earlier this year, following an inquiry into the cost of regional airfares.
Under the agreement there are now 12 services, up from eight, between Perth and Monkey Mia on a 34-seat aircraft each week.
The REX Community Fare costs $157 each way and are available on 25 per cent of seats on each flight, more than 60 days prior to departure.
REX will also offer unsold seats at a sale price of $157, 24 hours prior to flight departure.
As a result of both the increased number of flights and the community fare, there has been a 69 per cent increase in passenger numbers between July and October this year when compared with the same period last year.
Since the beginning of the service in July, 1,656 passengers have travelled to and from Monkey Mia, with community fare flights accounting for 20.5 per cent or 341 of the passengers.
The McGowan Government continues to actively promote and market regional destinations and events through the Two-Year Action Plan for tourism.
As noted by Premier Mark McGowan:
"Monkey Mia is one of those iconic WA regional destinations that has everything you need for the quintessential family getaway - with the beach right on the resort doorstep, located within a beautiful reserve and it's the best opportunity to meet wild dolphins in their natural habitat.
"The increased accommodation options at the refurbished RAC Monkey Mia Dolphin resort, along with the discounted airfares available from REX airline, will make it easier for tourists of all budgets to experience the wonders of Monkey Mia.
"Western Australia is an extraordinary State with a range of unique experiences to offer.
"My Government will continue to make tourism a priority through our Two-Year Action Plan by actively marketing regional destinations and events."
