(TAN): Western Australia has rolled out the state’s biggest-ever intrastate tourism campaign to mitigate the blow the coronavirus outbreak has dealt to the region.
The new multi-million-dollar, multi-platform marketing campaign was launched earlier this week to encourage Western Australians to travel locally amid growing travel restrictions around the world.
It uses a spirited slogan – ‘Do it in WA’ to motivate Aussies to holiday in their own state instead of planning a trip to other states or overseas.
“’Do it in WA’ is a call to arms for all Western Australians to choose their home State as a first choice holiday destination and embrace the world-class natural and cultural tourism experiences we have to offer,” Western Australia’s Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said.
While the campaign will play up the mix of destinations and experiences the state has to offer, it will also try to support Western Australia’s tourism operators and small businesses.
“If Western Australians took just one quarter of their usual overseas or interstate holidays in WA instead, it would mean more than half a million WA trips valued at CAD 249 million (USD 179.33 million approximately) for our local businesses. Today, we call upon the local industry to start sharing their best deals to be included on a new, dedicated website, so Western Australians have an easy, one-stop place to find the best local offers,” he said.
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“There’s a huge range of options all over the State – from affordable trips to premium experiences. Wherever people holiday in WA, they can have an amazing break while helping to support small businesses, local jobs and the State at large. Now, more than ever, we need to dig in and support our local tourism industry and small businesses, who are feeling the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. I implore all tourism and hospitality businesses to get on board with the campaign and come up with some special offers to entice local holidaymakers to holiday here,” he added.
Vacationers, small businesses and tourism operators will be urged to use #DoitinWA on their social media platforms to popularise the campaign.
“And to everyone on holiday in WA this year, please help spread the word by sharing your experiences on social media with the hashtag #DoitinWA,” Papalia said.
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Tourism Western Australia will also introduce Road Trips campaign, encouraging locals to take a driving holiday in the state.
The virus is reportedly affecting Western Australia’s economy, which was recently devastated by the bushfires. The tourism sector has been especially hit, after flights are getting cancelled and tourists are deferring their holiday plans either owing to travel restrictions or safety concerns, reports said.
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