The South West is the most popular regional tourist destination in Western Australia. 
Focus on tourism
Did you know that tourism is worth almost $800m per year to the South West? Or that the region receives more overnight visitors than any other region in Western Australia outside Perth?
Clearly tourism is a vital part of the region's economy and contributes in some way to every community in the South West.
Recently Tourism WA refocussed its role to concentrate on marketing Western Australia and closed its office in Bunbury. As part of the change, Mark Exeter from Tourism WA has joined the Commission staff and the Commission will play an increased role in developing tourism infrastructure and events.
Our future focus will be to increase the number of visitors into the region, their length of stay and how much they spend. To achieve this we will be implementing some exciting new initiatives.
As a start, we have just increased the funding pool for the South West Events Program to $100,000 in recognition of the importance that events play in regional communities. As well as adding to the sense of community, events provide extra incentive for tourists to visit and discover all that our vibrant South West region has to offer.
And the South West has a lot to offer. From dolphins in Bunbury, to towering trees in Pemberton, and wine and waves in Margaret River, the South West has wide-ranging appeal - and we can only work to add to its attractiveness as a tourist destination.
This week, our work involves informing stakeholders throughout the region about the Commission's refreshed focus on tourism.
With a proven commitment to tourism over the years that has included projects such as the Dolphin Discovery Centre and Collie Motorplex, our new focus has the potential to deliver some exciting benefits to the South West - and over the coming months we hope to share our plans with you.
Don't forget to get your application in for your chance to share in funding through the South West Events Program. The current funding round closes next week at 4pm on Monday October 25. Information about how to apply can be found on the South West Events funding page.
Don Punch
South West Development Commission CEO
October 2010