Western Australia Eyes India and China to Boost Tourism Economy to A$25 Billion by 2033

Western Australia is accelerating its global tourism efforts, placing India and China at the forefront of its ambitious plan to grow the state’s visitor economy to A$25 billion (approximately $16 billion USD) annually by 2033.

The strategy is anchored by expanded direct international air routes, enhanced partnerships with global carriers, and a renewed focus on high-potential visitor markets. China currently leads in visitor spending, with 74,000 Chinese tourists contributing A$315 million in the year ending September 2024. The return of direct services, such as those between Guangzhou and Perth and seasonal New Year flights from Shanghai, have played a pivotal role in this recovery.

The United Kingdom remains Western Australia’s largest source of international visitors by volume. In the same period, 114,000 UK travelers arrived, driven largely by visiting friends and relatives (VFR) and sustained by the popular nonstop London Heathrow–Perth route.

However, India has emerged as the fastest-growing market, now ranked as Western Australia’s eighth-largest international source, up from 11th in 2019. Approximately 37,000 Indian travelers visited Western Australia in the year ending September 2024, generating A$83 million in expenditure. The state is prioritizing the establishment of a direct route between India and Perth to further unlock growth in this market.

The state’s geographical position as Australia’s westernmost entry point presents a strategic advantage, offering quicker access for travelers from Europe and Southeast Asia. Western Australia is currently the only Australian state with nonstop connections to continental Europe and the UK, including routes to Paris, Rome, and London.

Over the past two years, Western Australia has relaunched or secured direct services to 20 international destinations, including cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, Manila, Tokyo, and Johannesburg. These routes are critical to enhancing the state’s global connectivity and driving tourism-led economic growth.

A major infrastructure upgrade at Perth Airport is set to reinforce this momentum. The airport will undergo a A$3 billion transformation, including a new terminal and parallel runway, as part of a broader A$5 billion redevelopment project. Once completed, the expansion will support an additional 4.4 million international airline seats annually and elevate the airport to become the second-largest international hub for a major Australian airline.

Tourism plays a central role in the state’s broader Diversify WA strategy, which focuses on creating a resilient and diverse economy. According to the 2024 update, total tourism expenditure reached a record A$18.3 billion in 2023–24, underlining the significance of international markets in driving sustained economic performance.

While direct air links are still being developed, Western Australia continues to strengthen one-stop connectivity through major Asian transit hubs such as Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. Collaborative marketing campaigns with global airline partners are underway to encourage increased bookings from India, China, and other Asian markets.

All of these efforts align with the state’s long-term tourism roadmap under the Western Australia Visitor Economy Strategy 2033 (WAVES 2033). The strategy sets a clear goal to position Western Australia as a world-class destination and achieve A$25 billion in visitor spending by 2033. With A$17.7 billion in tourism revenue already recorded by September 2024, the state is on a strong trajectory to reach its target.