This Friday, 11^th April 2008, will see a merging of over 100 minds working towards a sustainable future for tourism in the South West.

Fifteen keynote speakers will discuss topics ranging from the future of domestic tourism in Australia and what the South West might expect from a new Federal Labor government, in regard to the importance of tourism in the region. 

Tourism is one of Australia's most important industries and is an increasingly vital part of the overall economy of the South West region.  Tourism spending in Western Australia for the year ending 2007 was $5,065 million with 19% of that generated income being spent in Australia's South West region by over two million visitors.   Visitors to the Shire of Busselton in the 2005/6 period were 541,000 from intrastate, 40,500 from interstate and 28,800 from overseas.

Busselton Shire President Cr, Wes Hartley said: "From a skills development perspective, through to marketing and necessary infrastructure, programs need to be developed across the region in order to further build an established world class tourism sector and a better quality visitor experience".

The forum aims to provide the strategic framework from which a local distinctiveness and civic pride can be built in additions to the forming of solid agreements and commitments from business and Government to this essential task. 

Busselton Shire President Cr Wes Hartley said: "We are all well aware of the potential for real growth in the South West.  This will require investment in both product and service quality, in order to create more added value, better productivity and greater profitability.   Increasing services and accessibility to the region by way of road, rail and air will be enhanced and made more readily available with appropriate collaborative marketing".

The Shire of Busselton has a strong relationship with Tourism Australia and is working in close partnership to further develop the Busselton Regional Airport, which commenced its Fly-In-Fly-Out operations in November 2007 with more operations soon to come on stream.

Busselton Shire President Cr Wes Hartley said: "The Shire is committed to the sustainability, growth and contribution to regional tourism and endorses this Regional Tourism Initiative Forum as a vehicle to further promote the region to interstate and international visitors".