The West Australian economy benefitted from an increase in local travellers, resulting in a billion-dollar outcome. This helped to balance out the foreign tourism market, which has not been doing so well. 

Tourism Research Australia released information conveying that the country’s economy gained $1.5 billion; as a result of local travellers who travelled in the Western Australia and spent $7.8 billion between March 2018 and March 2019. Local travellers within the period rose by 10%. The number of local travellers reached 2.66 million within the year, reaching a new record. 

Despite seeing positives figures, Evan Hall, Tourism Council chief stated, ‘Most tourism businesses are still reliant on West Australians traveling and spending in WA, the local economy is not that good and people are spending less.’ Perth Stadium attracted a number of tourists, with several events taking place there. The stadium was home to two AFL finals, a football friendly match between English Premier League club Chelsea and Perth Glory, Test cricket and a Taylor Swift concert. Hall said, ‘They have come over for these events and discovered they have had a great time.’  
 
Australia has worked hard to make sure that such events are held in the country to attract not only local but foreign visitors. Tourism Minister Paul Papalia saw the rise in numbers as evidence that the government is doing a good job. Papalia said, ‘We have focused on developing and growing a leisure market, for holidaymakers,’ as he explained that they are trying to get more direct flights to Perth from other airports. 

However, there still was a drop of 1% in the number of tourists together with the spend declining by 2%.