Perth (TAN): Roger Federer gave it the first push with a selfie with a quokka in 2017 and the Western Australia government took it from there to promote Rottnest island as a tourist destination. The results are showing.
In 2018, 770,000 people visited the island situated off the Perth coast. This is a 15 per cent increase on the previous year’s numbers.
The economy on Rottnest island is thriving and it only looks to be better from here especially with the opening of more activities being opened for tourists
Paul Papalia, tourism minister of the state of Western Australia, said: “The McGowan Government’s (of Western Australia) drive to diversify the recreational offerings and approve developments on Rottnest has led to the island’s biggest boom period in both visitors and in new investments.
“This year will see the opening of Discovery Rottnest Island, which will provide an eco-friendly and unique accommodation option, while construction on the Hotel Rottnest will significantly increase accommodation options.”
But the reason for worry is, the authorities had foreseen a 4 per cent increase in year-on-year tourist visits. As things stand now, the number of annual visitors to Rottnest could touch 800,000 this year, a target set for 2034.
Is the island, a nature reserve, prepared for it? The tourists go to Rottnest for its clean and fairly unspoilt surroundings.But with the hordes of tourists visiting every day, how long will the pristine nature of the area remain?
The tourism minister believes with proper steps, this is a problem that is manageable. ABC News said the state government was considering a new management plan drawn up by the Rottnest Island Authority.
“It’s around comprehensive infrastructure demands for future and proposals for meeting these demands,” Papalia said.
“They (the island authority) are anticipating growth and ensuring we are able to deal with that.”
