The Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF), Australia’s leading tourism and transport advocacy group, has congratulated Mark McGowan and WA Labor on Saturday’s election win, and is urging Mr McGowan to take on the vital tourism portfolio.

TTF Chief Executive Officer Margy Osmond said the slowing of the resources sector meant tourism was now more important than ever to Western Australia, and having the Premier assume responsibility for the tourism portfolio would demonstrate the new Government’s commitment to the sector.

“The end of the mining investment boom has hit Western Australia hard, but there is now an opportunity to get behind and grow a world-leading tourism industry that will not leave Western Australia exposed to the peaks and troughs of commodities,” said Ms Osmond.

“Tourism is a super-growth industry contributing $13.4 billion to the Western Australian economy each year. It is critical that the sector remains a high profile portfolio in the next Cabinet.

“TTF has been a strong supporter of senior members of government taking responsibility for the tourism portfolio to demonstrate that government recognises the importance of the visitor economy to jobs and economic growth.

“TTF looks forward to working closely with Mr McGowan and his Government to ensure that the Western Australian visitor economy can reach its full potential.”

Prior to the election, TTF released a five-point plan for the next Western Australian Government to boost the visitor economy and meet the transport challenges of the future. The plan called on the Premier to retain the tourism portfolio and for the next government to increase investment in tourism marketing and business events, promote sustainable regions, invest in critical transport infrastructure and develop an integrated tourism and transport action plan.