• Annual licence fee waived for tour operators in national parks and conservation areas
• More than 400 tour operators to benefit from four-year trial
• Fee to be waived from July

The State Government will slash costs for tour operators conducting business in Western Australia's national parks and conservation reserves from July in a boost for the State's tourism industry.

The Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) will waive the annual licence charge for T class licences as part of a four-year trial for tourism operators licensed under the Conservation and Land Management Act 1984.

Waiving this licence charge will benefit more than 400 licensed operators offering a range of tourism experiences in WA, including:

• boat and bus tours;
• mountain biking; and
• hiking and walking in WA's national, marine and conservation parks and reserves.
   

DBCA is also supporting a Tourism Council WA initiative to deliver new industry standards to drive quality and ongoing improvements in WA's tourism industry.

The standards would involve national park tourism operators achieving enhanced Sustainable Tourism Accreditation, publishing a thorough assessment of their accessibility, and committing to reduce their emissions.

This will improve tourism operations and the information available to visitors while driving WA's reputation as a destination of choice.

Comments attributed to Environment Minister Reece Whitby:

"Tour operators make a valuable contribution to Western Australia's economy, not to mention its national parks and conservation reserves.

"The Cook Government is committed to working with and supporting Tourism Council of WA to encourage greater standards in sustainability and accessibility in WA's tourism industry.

"We want WA to be a sustainable and accessible destination while supporting our tourism businesses to be the best they can be."

Comments attributed to Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti:

"Local industry and operators are the backbone of our tourism industry here in Western Australia, and it's important we continue to do all we can to support them.

"By slashing costs for our operators, we're helping to continue to drive visitation into our beautiful national parks and conservation reserves, which we know have seen huge visitation post-COVID.

"Sustainability of our industry is another key area we're focusing on to help ensure tourism in Western Australia can thrive long into the future, so we certainly welcome these new industry standards from the Tourism Council of WA."