Premier Mark McGowan recently announced changes within his Cabinet. The portfolio changes affecting FutureNow industries are as follows:

• Deputy Premier Roger Cook will be adding Tourism to his economic portfolio.
• David Templeman will gain the International Education portfolio,  and take on Sport and Recreation.
• Tony Buti will  gain Racing and Gaming.

Click on full media statement

On the 1st of December the state government announced several new marketing campaigns to attract overseas visitors and workers to the state:

• A campaign tailored to specifically address the skills shortage by attracting workers, such as backpackers for hospitality.
• A student attraction scheme will be in place to help international students choose WA as their place to study, including up to $1,500 in accommodation support for the first 5,000 students.
• A $65 million aviation fund, which will go towards re-establishing international and interstate flight routes that were disrupted by the pandemic, as well as targeting new routes including Germany, India, China and Vietnam.
• Incentives will also be offered to tourists, international students and workers in order to successfully compete with other global jurisdictions. This will include expanding the Stay and Play campaign, which offers discounts for those who stay in participating hotels, as well as vouchers for tours and experiences.
• An immediate additional $9 million funding boost to attract blockbuster international events to Perth and WA.
• $15 million to target business events to attract international conferences to Perth, an essential initiative to support CBD hotel occupancy as well as the hospitality industry.

​Read the full media statement 

Fitness Australia today have released to industry a new vision and rebranding. To promote physical activity across all exercise and wellness modalities including yoga, pilates, spin, dance and aqua classes.
As we move to appreciating that exercise extends beyond just the physical benefits and beyond the traditional gym workout. Fitness Australia, have relaunched as AUSactive. 
AUSactive have the largest register of exercise professionals & facilities across Australia and is a not-for-profit industry association. 
To view the exciting and vibrant re-launch video click here

Applications are now open to the Regional Arts Fund's Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program, for regional arts organisations, local governments, and artists to promote and develop cultural events for tourists across regional WA. The Cultural Tourism Accelerator Program is a $5 million targeted measure announced by the Australian Government as part of the Regional Arts Tourism package. It is delivered through the Regional Arts Fund, an Australian Government Program that supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote communities in Australia.
This week, Regional Arts Australia will be holding two online information sessions, where they will walk you through the application process, and answer your questions. Click the links below to register.

Tuesday 23 November 4pm AWST
Thursday 25 November 10.30am AWST

​Draft 2 of the SIT Tourism Travel and Hospitality Training Package are now available for stakeholder review. The draft can be found on the Skills IQ website:
https://www.skillsiq.com.au/FeedbackForum/TrainingPackages1/SITTourismTravelandHospitality/SITTPDDraft2
It is possible to make comments directly on the SkillsIQ website, however it would be appreciated if you could copy the FutureNow Industry Development Manager for the Tourism, Travel, Hospitality and Events industries, Melissa Harkins, at mharkins@futurenow.org.au or on 0497 799 990 in on your feedback. She will pass this feedback onto the DTWD (Department of Training and Workforce Development) so they can ensure the SSO (Skills Service Organisation – SkillsIQ) and the IRC (Industry Reference Committee) consider the issues identified from WA industry stakeholders.
SkillsIQ are hosting 2 more webinars to seek stakeholder input. To register your interest in attending a webinar, please click on one of the links below.
                     Date                                                  Time (AEDT)
Webinar 3: Monday, 22 November 2021         3.00pm-4.30pm
Webinar 4: Wednesday, 24 November 2021   09.30am-11.00am
 
Please forward your feedback by COB next Thursday 25th November.

 Particular mention to the following award winners who have worked with FutureNow on our Career Pathways project, which is a suite of occupational guides and a website (https://www.thecareers.guide/) that has been produced to present career pathways information to prospective learners interested in employment in the hospitality, tourism and events field.
 
Live Ningaloo
Gold - Ecotourism
Bronze - Adventure Tourism
Live Ningaloo’s mission is to reclaim time in a meaningful way and give people the space to feel something. Tours are small, with ten people maximum and in-water interactions to a single group, no switching between multiple groups of people on tours.

This new development centre aims to provide water safety and awareness programs, first aid courses and beach rescue services. It will contribute to the up-skilling of members in Surf Life Saving and rescue volunteer training. More information can be found at the media statement 

The  Government is to host a series of tourism industry consultations across Western Australia. It will be an opportunity for stakeholders to share ideas on the industry's future. Tourism is a major focus of the State Government's WA Recovery Plan The series of 14 events commence on Monday 1st November and will be held at metropolitan and regional locations stretching from Kununurra to Esperance.
The tourism industry in Western Australia accounts for more than 109,000 jobs and before COVID-19, contributed $11 billion in visitor spend to the State's economy.

Read the full statement