The State has achieved the highest number of Western Australian tourism industry jobs on record since the statistic was first recorded 12 years ago according to a new Tourism Research Australia report released today.
The State Tourism Satellite Account 2017-18 reports on the economic impacts of tourism across each state and territory.
The report showed in 2017-18 a total of 108,800 people were employed in the WA tourism industry – almost 2,000 more jobs compared to the previous year.
This figure makes up 8.2 per cent of the State’s total employment, in line with 2016-17.
In this timeframe, the WA tourism industry added $12.9 billion to the State’s economy, with the results showing WA’s tourism industry contributed a total of five per cent of the State’s Gross State Product consistent with the previous year.
The WA tourism industry represented a higher share of the State’s total employment than the mining (7 per cent); professional, scientific and technical services (6.9 per cent); manufacturing (5.9 per cent), agriculture, forestry and fishing (3.1 per cent) and financial and insurance services sectors (2.2 per cent).
The report shows that the flow-on effect of tourism in the State is substantial. For every dollar spent in the tourism industry in WA in 2017-18, an additional 82 cents was spent elsewhere in the economy.
To view the detailed 2017-18 State Tourism Satellite Account, visit
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
“Generating jobs is a key focus for the State Government and its fantastic news that the WA tourism industry created a record number of employment opportunities during 2017-18.
“This positive trend is supported by the outstanding results of our recent visitor surveys, showing our State is hitting the mark with out-of-state visitors, attracting more people who are spending more money, which supports our local tourism industry.
“We are continuing to work on new opportunities that bring more visitors to the State, create jobs and strengthen the economy, such as the Tokyo to Perth – All Nippon Airways direct lights which alone are anticipated to generate hundreds of new jobs over three years.”
Minister’s office – 6552 5600
