Tourism Council WA has welcomed the announcement today by the Premier that Western Australia will open its interstate border to several states on November 14. The new arrangements will provide tourism businesses with certainty to recruit staff, take bookings and open next year.
Chief Executive Officer Evan Hall said the industry supported the State Government’s gradual and cautious approach to the recommencement of interstate travel.
“The tourism industry has been significantly affected by the interstate border closure, so today’s announcement is very welcome,” he said.
Mr Hall said today’s announcement would allow airlines to schedule flights and Perth hotels to take bookings, and would give tourism businesses certainty to promote themselves to interstate holidaymakers for 2021.
“Tourism businesses which have been struggling to secure staff for upcoming busy seasons will now have the opportunity to recruit much-needed workers from interstate,” he said.
“The tourism industry is willing to work with the Government to ensure we reopen in a COVID-safe way, including through testing, cleaning, and records of attendance.
“If the health advice changes before November 14, then the industry accepts that the reopening may be postponed.”
Mr Hall said tourism businesses and the public were looking forward to a tentative date for New South Wales and Victoria, subject to the health standards announced today.
“As all other States plan to open to New South Wales and Victoria in the coming weeks, it is important that Western Australia works towards a tentative date too,” Mr Hall said.
