04 September 2008

Perth: using its natural surroundings to attract tourists

A new marketing plan for Perth to increase the numbers of tourists to the city will involve using its unique natural assets and the "big blue sky", reports The West.

The nature-driven strategy is a response to a survey of visitors to Perth, who commented that the city had a unique openness to the sky and was surrounded by refreshing wilderness, which is incomparable in major cities around the world. 

"The diversity and quality of Western Australia’s natural environment are an integral part of the Brand WA tourism marketing strategy," said the previous Minister for Tourism, Norman Moore.

Taking a leaf out of New Zealand’s book, the state’s strategy is a well-balanced combination of conservation and tourism.  WA’s Tourism Minister Sheila McHale said at the FACET (Forum Advocating Cultural and Ecotourism) the state’s biggest assets are its natural attractions, and the Government needs to focus on protecting and promoting these so more people visit Western Australia and Perth.

"Natural attractions are the intrinsic reason people want to come to WA," she said.

In response to a downward trend in the numbers of people who visit Australia, Tourism Australia is launching several marketing campaigns to increase international and domestic tourism in various parts of the country. 

International tourists to Australia need an Australia travel visa, except for New Zealand passport holders.  Visitors wishing to travel the country can apply for a short-stay tourist visa, or ETA, which is valid for three months.  The conditions of the visa mean that tourists cannot work at any time during their stay in Australia.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people apply for an Australia visa.

Article by Jessica Bird, Australian Visa Bureau.