Push to secure more funding to promote Peel to Perth

Tourism is the lifeline for Mandurah and Peel but there needs to be more investment to make the region a hotspot for domestic and international visitors, claims a tourist organisation chairman.

Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation chairman Leighton Yates, who has been in the industry since he was 15 and managed more than a dozen hotels, is pushing to make the region a must-see and therefore drive the local economy.

He hopes Royalties for Regions funding could be funnelled to Peel to strengthen its appeal and entice those holidaying in Perth to travel the hour south.

Mr Yates said the appointment of Colin Barnett to the tourism portfolio was pleasing for the sector and proved it was a priority of the State.

He said MAPTO’s Anytime Adventures campaign was about encouraging Perth people to rediscover Mandurah and prove it was no longer a sleepy beachside town.

“It’s largely succeeded with 548,000 overnight domestic visitors last year, up 3.8 per cent on 2014 numbers,” he said.

“There have been 2.476 million day visitors, which is a 2.9 per cent increase on 2014.”

Mr Yates said MAPTO was working to increase the amount of time people spent in the region, which meant more expenditure locally.

“In 2014, people were staying an average of 2.6 nights, but last year it increased to 3.45, which is a fantastic drive for jobs,” he said.

Mr Yates said MAPTO was in the process of establishing a matrix to track employment opportunities with business and product launches in the region.

He said he was excited about new adventures such as the proposed artificial snow ski park in Waroona and the potential for a Peel wine map and an indigenous historical experience.