The Premier has announced the portfolio allocations for the new WA Labor Government Cabinet. 
The Ministers with portfolios relevant to FutureNow's work include:

• Amber-Jade Sanderson - Skills and TAFE
• Reece Whitby - Tourism
• Simone McGurk - Creative Industries
• Sabine Winton - Education
• Jackie Jarvis - Small Business

The Cabinet features several new portfolios including:
Economic Diversification and Manufacturing
A dedicated Minister for each region
Health Infrastructure
Preventative Health
Aged Care and Seniors
Housing and Works
Read the Premier's press release here

Congratulations to:

• Top Tourism Town - Mandurah WA
• Tiny Tourism Town. Dwellingup. WA
• Top Tourism Guide - Rosanna Angus - WA

​Read Media Statement

The annual funding round supports smaller and developing regional events to help attract new visitors to WA's five tourism regions and stimulate local economies.
This year's RES round will fund 10 new events and will include $250,000 to deliver Regional Aboriginal Events, including the agritourism event Taste of the Kimberley, showcasing the produce and landscapes of the Kimberley region; and the RAES event Iwarra Wilungga - Spring by the Sea, which is a celebration of Aboriginal culture in the Mid-West.
Other events include the Great Southern Stage Run, a three-day race following the wild and rugged Bibbulman Track; and the Northam Heritage and Multicultural Festival in the Wheatbelt. 

View the full list of recipients

Tourism operators from all over the world came together recently at The World Indigenous Tourism Summit (WITS) in Boorloo (Perth) and collectively endorsed unanimously and enthusiastically, a First Nations Climate Statement document. The statement read:
As proud descendants of Indigenous people from around the world, we, the 2023 WITS Delegates, recognise and accept our inherent social and cultural obligation gifted to us from our 'Old People' (Ancestors) to protect, heal and preserve our lands; or in essence "look after country.

​More information regarding the statement

With WA’s idyllic climate and beautiful wide streets perfect for outdoor entertainment, it’s hard to imagine that once upon a time enjoying a cup of coffee on the pavement was banned. The latest case study from the Committee for Perth examines the introduction of alfresco dining. Read the Case Study Here

The state government has announced a $3.9 million package to fund tourism and hospitality workforce initiatives over the next two years.

The funding will support a series of job-ready skills training courses with StudyPerth for international students and initiatives targeting working holiday makers to leverage the returning pool of workers in these markets.

Tourism and hospitality will be promoted as a rewarding career through activity such as the Chef Ambassador in-school hospitality demonstration program delivered by Hospitality Group Training, and an annual program of in-school tourism career information sessions will also support longer-term initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to consider careers in tourism and hospitality and creating a sustainable pipeline of local skilled workers.
Read the media release here

In addition, a new hospitality and tourism recruitment campaign, called Discover the Other Side, will launch in coming weeks. The campaign will aim to help attract hospitality and tourism workers from interstate and New Zealand to work and live in WA.
More information about: Discover the Other Side

• ​A new website has been created in partnership with the Australian Hotels Association WA and Tourism WA and connects job seekers with available tourism and hospitality roles to help employers fill vacancies.  
• This purpose-built platform will exclusively host tourism and hospitality jobs, while offering job seekers training, visa support, seasonal opportunities and information on regional destinations.   
• The jobs site is free for both employers and job seekers. 
• With the WA border now open, and international and interstate visitors back in Western Australia, there is a need for additional workers across many businesses throughout the State, particularly in regional areas. 

​Click here to access the new website

 

• Thousands of international and domestic tourists are expected to witness the natural phenomenon when the sun, moon and earth align at 11.27am on April 20, 2023.
•  The State Government has committed $19.3 million for Total Solar Eclipse preparation in addition to mid-year review funding, which brings the total spend to more than $21 million 
• The funding is for Beach, road and telecommunications upgrades for Exmouth region

 
Exmouth has been identified as the best land-based place in the world to view the eclipse, with the Exmouth Peninsula set to experience full darkness.
 
Other locations around WA will see a partial solar eclipse, including Perth witnessing a 70 per cent eclipse, Geraldton about 80 per cent, Carnarvon 95 per cent, Karratha 97 per cent and Coral Bay 99 per cent.
 
While the actual eclipse is relatively short, Tourism WA expects visitors to stay in the region for around five days.
 
Thousands of tourists are expected to visit Ningaloo Coastal Reserve, Ningaloo Marine Park, Montebello Marine Park, Pilbara Inshore Islands, Cape Range National Park, Barrow Island Marine Management Area and the Giralia Station.
 
Read the full media statement here