Tourism pain is shared

WA tourism chief Evan Hall has weighed in on the concerns reported by the Times last week about Eastern States COVID-19 chaos causing pain for regional operators. The Tourism Council WA boss said similar pain was felt across the WA industry, with business activity down 62 per cent — the worst result since April last year. Mr Hall said more support from the Federal and State governments was urgently needed. “Tourism businesses across WA are facing a cash-flow crisis as the collapse of the interstate market has resulted in mass cancellations and a downturn in forward bookings,” he said. “Businesses face reducing staff, assets and capacity, and 31 per cent of businesses report they will run out of cash in six months and risk closure. “It is critical to retain this tourism product until interstate travel reliably opens at 70-80 per cent vaccination rates.” The sore point of lockdown relief offered only to the Eastern States was also raised again.