Perth, it’s time to behave yourself as tourism chiefs hit town
WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia has pleaded with West Aussies to be polite, helpful and on their best behaviour when Perth hosts Australia’s biggest tourism convention next week.
Organisers have encouraged taxi and Uber drivers, police and city retailers to be positive as the State rolls out the red carpet to more than 2000 international and interstate delegates for the annual Australian Tourism Exchange event.
“A good first impression goes a long way,” Mr Papalia said.
In an unprecedented show of goodwill, hotels will offer more than $1 million in free accommodation to delegates.
The Australian Hotels Association is providing “service with a smile” training for frontline hospitality staff and management.
Mr Papalia said the ATE was a once-in-a-generational opportunity to reset WA’s reputation as an attractive and affordable destination.
“The last time Perth hosted the ATE was in 2012 when we were in the middle of a mining boom,” he said.
“The impression people took away was that Perth was a mining town, with a shortage of hotel rooms and very expensive coffee.
“Things have changed completely. That’s the message we want to get across.”
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The five-day ATE, which starts on Monday, is Australia’s biggest travel and tourism business-to-business event, attracting 600 international and domestic buyers, 1400 sellers from 550 companies and 70 media representatives from more than 30 countries.
Special signs in different languages have been installed at Perth Airport, where delegates will also have an opportunity to take the perfect “quokka selfie”.
Landmark buildings will be lit in blue throughout the convention to symbolise WA’s blue skies.
An extensive familiar-isation program will be available, involving 96 tours to destinations including Kununurra, Albany, Exmouth, Kalgoorlie, Geraldton, Margaret River and Rottnest Island.
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