South West to host Australia's leading regional tourism event

• 2026 Australian Regional Tourism Convention kicks off in Busselton
• Convention brings regional tourism leaders to Western Australia's South West from 20-23 October
• Event showcases WA's regional tourism capabilities and supports collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and industry growth
• Supports the Cook Labor Government's diversification of the WA economy, strengthening the tourism sector, and creates opportunities for local jobs for Western Australians

The 2026 Australian Regional Tourism Convention is underway in Busselton, bringing tourism leaders from across the nation for Australia's premier regional tourism industry event.

Taking place from 20-23 October 2026, the convention brings together tourism operators, destination managers, industry leaders, and government representatives to discuss emerging trends, share best practice, and explore opportunities for regional tourism.

Hosted at the new Saltwater Busselton convention centre, the event will showcase the South West's world-class visitor experiences, business events capability, and tourism infrastructure, highlighting the breadth of the region's tourism offering.

It also supports the Cook Labor Government's Business Events Strategy 2026-2030, which aims to grow the value of the sector to the State and position Western Australia as a leading business events destination.

Connectivity to the South West region continues to improve, with direct aviation services from Melbourne and Sydney to Busselton providing delegates with convenient access.

The convention is expected to generate valuable economic benefits for the region through a boost in visitor spend, accommodation bookings, and business activity.

Western Australia's regions are at the heart of the State's visitor economy, with regional destinations capturing $6.1 billion in visitor spend in the year ending June 2026, accounting for 32 per cent of total visitor spend in the State.

Tourism is a key pillar of the WA economy, supporting thousands of jobs and businesses across the State.

By supporting events such as the Australian Regional Tourism Convention, the Cook Labor Government is helping drive economic diversification, encourage investment, and build a more resilient visitor economy in regional Western Australia.

Find out more about the 2026 Australian Regional Tourism Convention here.

Comments attributed to Premier and Tourism, Trade and Investment Minister Roger Cook:

"Western Australia's regional tourism industry is a major contributor to our economy, supporting local jobs, businesses, and communities right across the State.

"We're proud to be hosting the Australian Regional Tourism Convention and welcome tourism leaders from across the nation to Busselton and our stunning South West.

"The new Saltwater convention centre strengthens the South West's ability to attract business events, bringing more visitors to the region and creating opportunities for local businesses to benefit from increased visitor spending.

"Hosting events such as this convention also gives regional tourism operators the opportunity to connect, share ideas, and build new partnerships that will support the future growth of the industry.

"My government is focused on diversifying the economy, supporting local jobs, and backing the tourism businesses that help make regional Western Australia such an attractive place to visit, live, and invest."

Comments attributed to South West Minister Don Punch:

"It's great to see Busselton hosting the nation's premier regional tourism convention, showcasing not only the South West's incredible visitor experiences but also the strength of our regional economy.

"Regional tourism generated a record $6.1 billion in visitor spend last year, supporting local jobs, backing small businesses, and helping communities across Western Australia thrive.

"I'm proud to see tourism leaders from across the country gathering in the South West, creating opportunities to grow our visitor economy and deliver lasting benefits for regional communities."