Tuesday, March 25, 2025 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 .
