Report identifies limiters to tourism
Limited short-term accommodation is one of the key factors stopping Albany realising its full tourism potential, a national study has found.
The report, titled Cities Beyond Perth, was released on Tuesday by the Regional Australia Institute and identifies Albany as part of a growing network of regional towns and cities in WA primed for economic success amid the slowdown of the State’s resources industry.
Categorising Albany alongside Bunbury, Busselton and Geraldton as “old towns with city-sized opportunities”, the report highlights retirement migration and heritage and experiential tourism expansion as emerging opportunities for Albany to capitalise on.
However, the lack of short-term accommodation and technology infrastructure were noted as key challengers, along with underemployment, labour force participation and welfare dependence.
Regional Australia Institute deputy chief executive Jack Archer said Albany’s population size, diversity of industry and available infrastructure underpinned its potential for “city-sized opportunities” and the region’s education facilities should be cemented as a key selling point.
“Things are obviously turning back towards Albany’s key strengths, the lifestyle and tourism markets and agribusiness opportunities as well, which have always been important to the Albany economy,” he said.
“Particularly tech readiness and technology infrastructure is something that is a bit limited for the region at the moment.
“One of the things with technology is you need a decent internet pipe and mobile services and Geraldton has been fortunate to get the NBN early and they got some really good connections happening in Bunbury, so it’s a potential blocker for Albany, but if we get it out of the way it would really help.”
Mr Archer said after consultation with local leaders it was clear there was a need to develop substantial short-term accommodation to meet the goals for expansion in tourism and the tertiary education sector.
“That’s what leaders and people in the region were saying to us when we were talking about the different development opportunities,” he said.
Great Southern Development Commission regional manager of industry and infrastructure Russell Pritchard said the commission, which formed part of the steering committee for the report, acknowledged the lack of short-term tourist accommodation.
“The record of State Government in providing the investment in tourism product, transport and services, all of which are a key part of developing an environment that facilitates private investment in tourist accommodation, is a sound one,” he said.
“The recent purchase of the Esplanade site, the significant investment in the Albany foreshore and the more recent planning and ongoing development in relation to Anzac are all elements of taking a considered, long-term approach to the future of tourism as a driver of the Albany and regional economy.”
Regional Development Australia Great Southern executive officer Simon Lyas said the report was a positive review for Albany and the introduction of a strategic tourism development plan for the region should be seen as a priority.
“There is much to exploit in the coming years,” he said. “One of the unique aspects is it refers to us as an old town and I see that as an advantage as it is a unique offering which differentiates us.
“I think people are waking up to this is a fantastic lifestyle opportunity.”
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