Western Australia’s tourism sector looks to be suffering despite a busy July school holiday period. According to a survey conducted by the Tourism Council, the industry has taken a significant drop in activity amongst the national impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is reported that tourism business activity is down 73 percent in the state’s North West, in comparison to the June-July period last year.
The drop is being felt across the majority of the state, with Perth reporting a drop of 62 percent, the Golden Outback 48 percent, and Coral Coast 24 percent.
Not all sections of the state are feeling this low period with the South West seeing a boost in tourism activity. With the number of holiday-makers flocking to the South West, accommodation is hard to come by and activity has increased by 6 percent compared to last year.
Chief executive of the Tourism Council WA Evan Hall suggests the survey shows that self-driven destination and low-cost, self-contained accommodation is currently favoured by West Australians.
In the midst of the country’s COVID-19 pandemic and recession, this form of self-driven and low-cost, self-contained accommodation is preferable to the many holiday-makers in the state.
As Western Australia deals with relatively low cases of coronavirus, residents have been encouraged to explore their own state to ensure local businesses stay afloat.
Rosie Sandover, Kununurra-based tour operator has reported a 95 percent decrease in bookings for her Kingfisher Tours business.
The business usually caters to interstate and international tourists but due to the travel restrictions have had to reimagine their operations to attract people holidaying in their own state, this has also meant reducing the prices of their tours.
Ms Sandover has reported that the business has restructured tours incorporating a variety of walking tours. They have also started running tours to popular destinations such as Gibb River Road and El Questro Station, which are both closed for the season. These are destinations that are highly regarded by visitors if it is their first time to Kimberly, she said.
Premier Mark McGowan has dismissed the Tourism Council’s comments, emphasizing the impact of the pandemic the country is currently facing.
Premier McGowan has reinforced the importance of closing borders to international and interstate travelers in keeping West Australians safe. The Premier has urged the Tourism Council to be “more positive.”
Unexpectedly the Kimberly, in WA’s north has seen a boom in tourism throughout the pandemic. Premier McGowan has commented that some businesses are doing better than others throughout the period, as flights to the Kimberly sold out within a week.
It will be in the coming months that really define the WA tourism sector and their ability to stay afloat and make it through this period of hardship.
