• Proposals encouraged for national park and reserve tourism initiatives
• Market-led investments to create jobs and drive more visitation
• Problem and Opportunity Statements seek innovative industry solutions under the Government's Market-led Proposal initiative 

The State Government is inviting proposals for new tourism attractions, experiences and concepts for Western Australia's national and marine parks and conservation reserves, as part of the State's COVID-19 recovery. 

The call for nature-based tourism opportunities is part of the State Government's Market-led Proposal Policy, with Problem and Opportunity Statements released to harness innovative ideas from the private sector that stimulate the economy and create jobs.

This Problem and Opportunity Statement was today released to encourage proponents to put forward ideas for new, high-quality tourism experiences that may support tourism industry recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The announcement follows the injection of $150 million into the State's tourism industry including in national parks and reserves to upgrade tourism infrastructure, conserve the environment and help economic recovery.

The call for proposals is for lands and waters managed by the Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA), which include some of WA's most eminent visitor destinations.

More information is available at http://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-finance/market-led-proposals

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Stephen Dawson:

"The McGowan Government is investing in WA's parks and reserves that underpin the nature-based tourism industry. We want to further harness the tourism potential of the parks while fostering increased appreciation of the environment.

"This opportunity under the Market-led Proposals Policy aims to increase visitation to parks and reserves and create jobs during planning, construction and ongoing delivery of new tourism experiences with flow-on benefits to surrounding communities and businesses.

"This initiative is designed to stimulate new and exciting proposals from the business community that establish long-term benefits to sustain Western Australia's tourism industry and economy well beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

"DBCA will work with and assist proponents accepted through this process to ensure sustainable tourism outcomes are achieved, and assistance will be provided by Tourism WA under the Tourism Attractions Case Management framework as required.

"The proposals will undergo a rigorous assessment process to ensure they uphold the conservation values of the selected areas, meet legislative requirements and have the consent of traditional owners."

Minister's office - 6552 5800