TOURISM WESTERN AUSTRALIA — INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
857. Mr V.A. CATANIA to the Minister for Tourism:
I have a supplementary question.
With the international and state borders closed, why on earth are WA taxpayers
footing the bill for promotional programs in foreign countries, and has the
surplus gone to the minister's head?
Mr D.A.
TEMPLEMAN replied:
Again, it is very sad that the
member has no understanding of this matter. I urge him to go to bed and have a think
about this over time. The fact is that we
have to warm our markets. We still have to ensure that in our target markets—there
are 11 key targets—there is a strong presence of our product and,
indeed, the marketing of our state, because when it is safe to do so, we want
to welcome back international guests. We want to welcome back international
backpackers, who will also be an important part of our cohort of international
guests. We want to attract business visitation
because we know that we are very well placed and, indeed, we have a great
history of delivering high-quality conventions and business-related
tourism opportunities. That is why we have to keep being present in
international markets. We will keep doing it, because when the borders open and
we are able to welcome back large numbers of international and interstate
visitors, we want to make sure that they not only know that we are here, but
also that we are willing and able, and very, very welcoming of them.
The SPEAKER: Minister, I am
over here.
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN: We
certainly will not be putting the member for North West Central at Perth
Airport as welcoming guests—he would frighten them away!