Tourists told 'not to bother' with Perth
Aleisha Orr
July 4, 2012 - 11:07AM


A Sydney-based travel website has given a scathing evaluation of Perth, urging travel agents not to send their clients here because it's too expensive.   

Travel writer and consultant John Alwyn-Jones visited Perth last month as part of a tourism industry trade event but said the efforts of Tourism Australia to showcase WA may have been wasted because of "the astronomic costs being experienced by delegates in Perth".

"I spoke to both sellers and buyers at ATE [Australian Tourism Exchange] and all are appalled at the cost of restaurant meals, drinks and hotel rooms, with the majority saying they could never recommend their clients visit Perth," Mr Alwyn-Jones wrote on www.eglobaltravelmedia.com.au.


The state government today signed a two-year, $1.2 million memorandum of understanding with Qatar Airways to help boost European tourist numbers.

Qatar Airways launched its first direct flight to Perth yesterday and will help the state target visitors from the UK and Germany, its first and seventh biggest international markets, respectively.

But Mr Alwyn-Jones said a major Italian tour operator told him Perth was more costly than any other city he had visited, including Rome, Tokyo, Dubai and New York.   

Mr Alwyn-Jones said a US-based operator said he would tell people not to bother with Perth.

"His clients would be shocked at the price of coffee, snacks and even a beer in Perth and he would recommend to them they stay perhaps one night and no more in Perth, if they had to," he said.   

Mr Alwyn-Jones also criticised the high price of hotel rooms.

He said he was shocked to pay $79 for two burgers, one draft beer and two draft ciders.

He also said the state appeared to be preoccupied with mining and that was evident when Premier Colin Barnett spoke at the tourism event he was attending.

"He announced he knew little about tourism, continuing to tell the travel audience all about the strength of mining in WA and the state's relationship with China – very strange when considering the audience," Mr Alwyn-Jones said.

Tourism Council of WA chief executive Evan Hall told ABC radio that there were cost pressures on the industry because of the increased activity in the state's resources sector.

"But you really don't have to pay $79 for two hamburgers and a beer in Perth," he said.   

"I would've preferred to see a more balanced report."

Mr Hall said he believed Perth prices were good value.

He admitted that the impact of a successful resources sector had impacted on Perth hotel rooms, with hotels often full mid-week.

Mr Hall said WA had to be mindful that tourism would suffer as a result of the mining boom.

He said small tourism operators were slicing prices while the government was refusing to take action to help the sector.

Mr Hall mentioned a $55 passenger movement charge for people travelling in and out of the country and restrictions on filling vacancies.

"We're not allowed to import immigrants to work in the industry," he said.

Where are the eateries and entertainment venues in Perth that are great value for money, or even free?


comments so far

        "Mr Hall said he believed Perth prices were good value."

        Haha. Rubbish! Prices in Perth are stupidly high. Every retailer thinks everyone is on mining megabucks so they overcharge for everything. From pizza to hotels.   

        $150 for a curry for two? In the UK, you can eat at a top restaurant for half that price. Why the uplift? Is it local tax or simply local rip off?

        Prices for the exact same beer ranging from $7-$14 depending on what language the waiter speaks.

        Cider $11! And thats the home made stuff.

        Its got to the point where i don't eat out any more. Choosing instead to drink at home than in the bar.

        Sure i think Perth and WA is a fantastically nice area. But the theme of this article is correct. Why be ripped off? Cheaper to stay on the East coast.   

    Commenter
        Liam B
    Location
        Perth
    Date and time
        July 04, 2012, 10:54AM

        Yep. Not only is Perth unremarkable, it is outrageously expensive if you have a normal (non-mining) job.   

        We can all thank the CUBs (cashed up bogans) for jacking up the price of everything, especially Gina Whinehart.   

    Commenter
        Free-thinking Aussie
    Location
        Perth
    Date and time
        July 04, 2012, 11:12AM

        Sadly Perth is indeed pricing itself out of the Tourism market, apart ftom the fact that it also costs a lot to even get here from other parts of Australia. Add to that the cost of getting anywhere once you are here. Hiring a vehicle, or going to say Broome is very costly. As for Colin Barnett talking about mining and trade to a bunch of Tourism operators just shows once again that he has lost the plot. Once the mining falters, what will WA have to fall back on? Putting all your eggs in one basket is not the way to promote WA.   

    Commenter
        Wordsinabox
    Location
        Perth
    Date and time
        July 04, 2012, 11:30AM


Read more: http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/tourists-told-not-to-bother-with-perth-20120704-21ghr.html#ixzz1zd6NCAdY

Wasn't your heart pink?

Verge wrote on Jul 4^th, 2012 at 4:30pm:


Ive just come back from a week in Perth running a course and the hotel costs are higher than other places but thats because of a shortage of hotels/rooms. Food seemed a similar price to sydney and melbourne but more than adelaide. And its not like Brisbane is any cheaper.

$79 for a couple burgers and beers? Did they shop around looking for the most expensive place? I ordered room service (the most expensive way to eat anything) and it didnt cost that much (although it was expensive).

JC Denton wrote on Jul 4^th, 2012 at 6:34pm:


They have an art gallery and a library. I hear theres a cafe too.

SOB

Yeah dolphins too I remember. Although we have those on this side of Oz too.

SOB

Sounds like Darwin.

$$$$$$$$

longweekend58 wrote on Jul 4^th, 2012 at 7:55pm:



Yep.  I love the cooler weather.

I've had enough of Perth summers.

... wrote on Jul 5^th, 2012 at 10:17am:



Uncle Meats is already there (part-time).  Bought an apartment in the Hobart CBD (lol - "CBD") months ago.

A few months here, a few months there.  Nice