Tourism

The state government remains hopeful Busselton can become the second site for a Qantas pilot academy, pledging up to $1.7 million and formally committing to a new $13 million terminal if the South West town is chosen.

SPECIAL REPORT: When Ryan Zaknich started his Perth walking tours business Two Feet & a Heartbeat 11 years ago, one of his featured routes incorporated stops at each of the city’s small bars - all three of them.

SPECIAL REPORT: Accommodation groups are betting on international students returning to Perth.

SPECIAL REPORT: Perth’s hotel capacity has increased by about 30 per cent since 2012 and Business News has identified a further 3,150 rooms that are either under construction or committed, as the city’s hotel sector is transformed.

SPECIAL REPORT: The state government is spearheading programs to build interest in WA as a preferred leisure destination within Australia and overseas.

Former Association of Surfing Professionals chief executive Brodie Carr has been appointed as Tourism WA’s new managing director.

Virgin Australia has reported a full-year loss of $681 million after impairments and tax adjustments, its sixth consecutive year of losses, but the airline is optimistic about delivering a statutory profit in the next half.

Qantas shares have dropped to their lowest in more than a month despite Australia's major carrier posting a record underlying profit of $1.6 billion.

The state government has selected Department of Health executive Rebecca Brown as the new director general of its industry and tourism mega department – making her the third woman picked this year to head a major government agency.

South Australia is giving Western Australia a run for its money in the race to attract international students.

Crown Perth posted a slight increase in normalised earnings for the 2018 financial year, helped by added revenue from Crown Towers, while its parent company reported a full-year profit of $558.9 million.

The Brand Agency has launched a destination marketing division, headed by former Tourism WA chief executive Gwyn Dolphin.

Opinion: A more creative approach is required if the state’s weak spots on tourism are to be overcome.

The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle is up for sale, with its owners hoping for a big premium on their $88.5 million purchase price in 2013.

The city’s pipeline of hotel developments is providing immense opportunities for local artists and art dealers.

The Perth Mint, Go West Tours and Newmont Mining have teamed up to showcase the state’s gold production process as a new guided day tour, unveiled by the Premier Mark McGowan this morning.

The latest international tourism statistics show a further decline for Western Australia despite positive results for the national market.

The Terrace Hotel, which restored the heritage St Georges House in 2012, is set to shut its door from tomorrow afternoon, Business News understands.

Airfares on key international business routes from Perth continue to rise, according to a new report, while Virgin Australia has today unveiled plans to start direct flights between WA and Tasmania later this year.

Roger Federer is sticking with his recent successful formula as he eyes a record-breaking seventh Australian Open title in January, committing to return to the Hopman Cup in Perth.

Queensland-based The Tourism Group is set to become the new operator of the Western Australian Visitor Centre in the Perth CBD after winning a state government contract.

Rising oil prices will affect behavior and the cost of living across all sectors of society and industry.

Advertising agency 303 MullenLowe has been appointed by the City of Karratha to develop a four-year branding campaign worth $1.9 million designed to attract new residents and tourists to the area.

The state government has announced a partnership with Qantas that will provide discounted airfares for flights to Broome in an effort to boost regional tourism.

Entrepreneur lunch: Peter Prendiville, Rod Jones, Gordon Martin and John Rothwell have outlined the challenges they see in diversifying WA’s economy.

The McGowan government says it will set up a taskforce to investigate establishing a pilot training academy in Western Australia, after Qantas today launched a formal request for proposals from state governments across the country.

ASX-listed travel company Helloworld has taken a majority stake in Asia Escape Holidays, four years after a backdoor listing plan by Asia Escape and two other Perth travel agencies fell through.

Former Fortescue Metals Group CEO Nev Power’s new career as a non-executive director has started with Perth Airport.

Perth-based John Poynton has been appointed as a non-executive director of Crown Resorts, replacing billionaire James Packer.

Marriott International has opened Perth’s first Westin Hotel at an official ceremony this morning, anchoring a new dining and leisure precinct set to revamp the area.

The state government has today announced plans for a major upgrade of Hotel Rottnest, while construction of the $20 million Pinky Beach eco village project, being completed by a joint venture between Baileys Group and Discovery Parks, has begun.

The federal government has today pledged $160 million to seal a 300-kilometre stretch of the Outback Way, which links Western Australia’s Goldfields to central Queensland.