State tourism is on the rise

The number of West Australians travelling around their home State has jumped beyond five million for the first time since the 2007 global financial crisis.

The latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data show a 10 per cent increase in intrastate visitors in WA last year, compared with 2011 — from 4.689 million to 5.16 million.

The increase is about twice the national average (5.2 per cent) and second only to the Northern Territory (18 per cent).

Although business travellers accounted for most of the increase, there was also a significant rise in the number of people visiting friends and family (11.6 per cent).

Kununurra Visitor Centre marketing manager Merrilyn Spencer said the region was different to the rest of the State and a great place to escape for a holiday.

“It’s like going to a different place or another country even, it’s very different and very beautiful and although it is their home State, it is still something different and adventurous to do,” she said.

“Last year we got a lot of, in particular, grey nomads who were travelling here from within Western Australia.

“Obviously all tourists who come here are going to be beneficial to the East Kimberley and Kununurra economy.”

Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said the intrastate market was important to WA’s tourism sector because it accounted for nearly three-quarters of all visitors.