Tourism leaders in Western Australia have welcomed a government plan to encourage hotel development in Perth after warning the shortage of rooms was “killing regional tourism”. State tourism minister Kim Hames this morning unveiled a package of measures designed to solve the capacity squeeze. They include releasing crown land for hotel
Development through expressions of interest, concessional lease payments and the allocation of funds for hotel upgrades and development on a case by case basis.
Hames conceded the “severe shortage” of rooms was damaging the city’s ability to attract corporate and leisure visitors, conferences and events.
Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall praised the government for finally listening to the concerns of the industry, “Our hotel shortage is killing regional tourism because visitors can’t get a room in Perth on their way to Monkey Mia, Margaret River or Kalgoorlie,” he said.
“Tourism Council WA has been warning successive governments for years about our hotel crisis. Minister Hames is the first minister to take this seriously and get the ball rolling on tourism investment.”
Hall also called on the federal government to provide tax bonuses to assist the growth.
(Source: Steve Jones, Travel Today, 26th October 2011)
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