TBM Staff - Mumbai
The recent India Roadshow marked Western Australia’s first promotional event post-pandemic, conducted in collaboration by Tourism Western Australia (WA) and Business Events Perth. Over three days, from February 5-7, 16 WA hotels, attractions, experiences, and Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) showcased their offerings to more than 300 Indian agents in New Delhi and Mumbai.
Expressing the significance of the Indian market, Tourism WA Managing Director Carolyn Turnbull highlighted India as one of the fastest recovering markets post-pandemic. The roadshow aimed to strengthen relationships with in-market agents and leverage the potential for substantial growth in WA’s visitor economy.
In 2019, India ranked as WA’s 11th largest visitor market, with 31,000 visitors spending an estimated USD 63 million. As of September 2023, visitor numbers had rebounded to 87% of pre-COVID levels, making India WA’s seventh largest international market, with 27,000 visitors spending approximately USD 91 million. This growth was fueled by a nearly 50% increase in spend per person.
Tourism WA Executive Director Marketing, Melissa Forbes, emphasised the integral role of trade events in the in-market strategy, providing West Australian suppliers with a platform to showcase their offerings and establish business relationships with Indian agents. The visit also served as an opportunity to understand current travel trends in the Indian market.
Gareth Martin, CEO of Business Events Perth, highlighted India as a key market, emphasising its proximity to Western Australia and the unique platform it provides to showcase the state’s business event offerings. The roadshow included representatives from RTOs Australia’s Coral Coast, Australia’s South West, and Destination Perth, along with operators like Busselton Jetty, Caversham Wildlife Park, Crown Perth, Duxton Hotel Perth, and others.
