The Federal government has released its inquiry looking at the opportunities and challenges facing the tourism and international education sectors since the reopening of Australia’s borders post- pandemic.
​The report includes 28 recommendations to improve the industry's resilience.
Subcommittee Chair, Senator Deborah O'Neill noted, “It is clear the recovery has been patchy and that issues remain. This report makes a number of recommendations to strengthen the visitor economy and make it more resilient to future shocks. Throughout the inquiry we kept coming back to two key areas with enormous opportunity, if key barriers can be reduced: First Nations tourism and regional tourism.”
The inquiry has recommended establishing a national First Nations tourism body and reviewing the First Nations Visitor Economy Strategy, as well as continuing grant programs to support First Nations tourism businesses. 
It also recommends the government help promote the development of regional accommodation and attractions, prioritise regional transport and infrastructure improvements and allow affordable regional air access, whilst ensuring training providers improve access for regional tourism operators. It also recommends the Federal Government collaborate with the states to promote regional tourism, nature-based tourism and disability inclusion.

Read the full report and recommendations here. 

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit was held in Perth this week, bringing together international government representatives, tourism leaders, investors and media to discuss global tourism.
The three-day conference was headlined by John Kerry, who served as US Secretary of State from 2013-2017 under the administration of former President Barack Obama. Alongside Secretary Kerry was Australian environmentalist and television personality Robert Irwin.
A host of other high-profile speakers shared their insights and experiences across the three days, including TripAdvisor CEO Matt Goldberg, Trip.com CEO Jane Sun, American Express Travel President Audrey Hendley and Intrepid Travel CEO James Thornton.

​Skål International Perth, supported by Tourism Western Australia, has launched a mentoring program for tourism and hospitality young professionals.
Over six months, the mentees will have the opportunity to learn from mentors who will pass on their expertise about the industry, inspire new talent, and make a meaningful, lasting impact. 
​More information can be found here

Western Australia's largest network of mountain bike trails has officially opened following the completion of 47 kilometres of tracks in Wellington National Park near Collie. Riders now have almost 100 kilometres of national park trails to explore in Collie's Wambenger Trails network.
The newly expanded trails cater for experienced and competition riders, complementing the previously completed beginner trails near Wellington Dam.
The new trails are helping to transform Collie into a world-class trail destination that can attract local, national and international tourists. A new bike hire outlet has opened in Wellington National Park to support the trails.
​More information on the Wambenger Trails is available here.

The Australian Government’s ‘Choose Tourism’ program administered by Austrade, has launched five ‘Tourism workforce diversity in action’ videos.
The five short films offer real-life examples of how employing people with a disability and older Australians can benefit tourism businesses and staff.
​Watch the Videos

The 30th anniversary of the WA Training Awards last Friday night showcased the incredible talents of the creative and leisure industries, with contributions from photographers, caterers, live technicians, event planners, student florists, hairdressers, beauticians, radio hosts, and performers. Our industries played a key role in making the event a spectacular celebration of training excellence.
Highlights from the night include:

• North Metropolitan TAFE students delivering event coordination support
• South Metropolitan TAFE students creating stunning floral displays throughout the venue and on tables
• 600 individually wrapped cookies, baked by South Metropolitan TAFE students, as table favours
• BOOM Radio, a TAFE student-run station, broadcasting live from the event, interviewing winners and special guests like Minister for Training Simone McGurk
• WA Academy, a private RTO, operating a beauty bar, with Taylorweir Hairdressing and Barbering students offering hair styling for attendees

In addition to these student contributions, the event was powered by a talented team of photographers, DJs, graphic designers, caterers, audio-visual specialists, media representatives, and MC Tina Altieri, creating a memorable and inspiring night.

The State Government has introduced the Industrial Relations Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 into State Parliament, aimed at modernising the State industrial relations system.
The Bill will amend the Minimum Conditions of Employment Act 1993 to increase the loading for casual workers on the minimum wage to 25 percent. This will bring Western Australia into line with the national system.
The reforms will enshrine a prohibition on sexual harassment at work in State employment laws and establish new pathways to resolve sexual harassment disputes. This legislation also introduces a fit and proper person test for union officials to obtain a State right of entry permit.

Read Minister McGurk's full media statement here.

Music Australia, the dedicated body established under Creative Australia to support and invest in Australian contemporary music, has launched a new funding initiative designed to support Australian labels, from local independents through to major label Australian subsidiaries that are actively discovering, developing, and promoting local talent. 
Offering grants up to $150,000, the Music Australia Record Label Development Scheme (RLDS) will support eligible record labels committed to the growth and success of Australian recording artists. Grants are available from $10,000 to $150,000 to eligible Australian record labels, and Australian subsidiaries of multinational record labels, that have been operating for a minimum of 3 years.  

​Learn more here and here.

Screen Australia has announced a $900,000 industry development fund aimed at bridging skill shortages and boosting the capabilities of the Australian screen workforce.
It forms part of Screen Australia’s Industry Development initiatives, which have supported training and skills development for more than 500 industry professionals.
The most recent round of funding has been made through Screen Australia’s Skills Development Fund (which supports production companies, game development studios and screen businesses to provide work-based learning) and the BTL: Next Step program (which supports mid-career practitioners to upskill from their current areas of expertise).

​Learn more here.

A new tourism-focused division within the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) has been created.
WA's national parks are home to about 500 tourism businesses, with DBCA managing award-winning attractions like the Kalbarri Skywalk and the Tree Top Walk, as well as UNESCO World Heritage sites such as Ningaloo Coast and Shark Bay. To further support tourism within WA's conservation estate, DBCA's new nature-based tourism division will be charged with driving new commercial tourism projects in national parks. 
It will also support the Department's industry relationship management, tourism operator licensing, and new tourism opportunity development. 
To support the division, DBCA will also establish a Nature-based Tourism Industry Reference Group, with representatives from Tourism Council WA, tourism operators and the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (JTSI).
More information about DBCA Nature Based Tourism can be found here