$37 million to attract blockbuster events and promote WA

• Major new investment to bolster WA's reputation as an events destination
• $25 million to increase the Major Events Fund
• $3.6 million to deliver a new Metro Events program
• Part of Cook Labor Government's plan to diversify WA's economy, create local jobs

The Cook Labor Government will deliver another boost to Western Australia's status as a major events destination, with a $36.6 million tourism investment in the 2024-25 State Budget.

Securing unique and major blockbuster events has become one of the hallmarks of the Cook Labor Government's tourism strategy.

To further cement WA's growing reputation for major events, an additional $25 million has been allocated over the next four years to the Major Events Fund.

In addition, the Cook Government will invest $3.6 million for a new Metro Events program, which will focus on creating iconic homegrown Western Australian events in and around Perth to activate the city for locals and draw in visitors from outside WA.

This takes the current 2024-25 State Budget for securing blockbuster, major and homegrown events to $77.5 million.

The State Budget will also include $4.9 million to continue the Tourism Workforce Development Program, which aims to attract workers to the tourism industry, as well as $1 million to boost the State's cruise tourism program, to help deliver the WA Cruise Tourism Strategic Plan 2023-2033.

The program seeks to attract more cruise lines to WA, improve visitor experience, ensure infrastructure is world-class and improve industry partnerships.

Other initiatives include:

• $1.6 million to continue biannual stakeholder regional roadshows, extend existing tourism business capability development and continue receiving key tourism data from the Commonwealth; and
• $500,000 for feasibility studies for new tourism attractions.

The $36.6 million package is in addition to other significant investments in tourism across WA as part of the 2024-25 State Budget, including $150.5 million of improvements for Rottnest Island, the $165 million Outdoor Adventure Tourism package, and $5 million for the B Shed upgrade to further activate the Victoria Quay precinct.

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

"We've said we wanted to make Western Australia one of the event capitals of South East Asia and keep building on our reputation as a world-class events destination.

"We continue to deliver on that commitment, having secured major coups over the past year including Coldplay, WWE, Italian and women's football, UFC and international rugby just to name a few.

"We also know that events are a big drawcard for out-of-state visitors, giving people a time-specific reason to visit and explore WA, which they might not have previously considered doing.

"That's why providing an extra $25 million for major events is so important for this 2024-25 State Budget. It allows us to continue growing on that success and attracting unique and major blockbusters, which have delivered phenomenal benefits for our local economy, while also attracting visitors from outside WA and supporting local jobs.

"Of course, we're also very keen to build on our homegrown and local events scene in Perth, which is why we've created a new $3.6 million Metro Events program to further activate and create vibrancy in our city and give people another reason to visit WA."