Boost for Kimberley tourism

A new push to get more West Australians to take their holidays in northern regions, such as the Kimberley, could be a boost for the East Kimberley.

Tourism Minister Clive Brown is urging all Western Australians, when thinking about their next holiday, to consider taking a break in the north.

Television and press advertising began this week to support a new 32-page catalogue of North-West getaways and discount offers.

Mr Brown said the Magnetic North Holiday Catalogue mimicked the highly successful Winter Breaks formula and was designed to drive business to WA's north during the traditionally quiet wet season from October 14 to March 31.

"Operators in the Mid-West, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Kimberley have shown their overwhelming support for the campaign, with 90 industry members taking part," he said.

"The Magnetic North campaign promotes the four northern regions at a time when the landscape changes dramatically, with waterfalls flowing and the usually red earth greening."

More than 60,000 copies of the catalogue were distributed in The West Australian newspaper on Tuesday.

The catalogue will also be available at visitor centres throughout the State.

Mr Brown said the tourism industry in the northern half of the State was particularly hard hit by the downturn in business last year as a result of the collapse of Ansett and the events of September 11.

"Air capacity is almost at pre-Ansett levels for most regions," he said.

"The State Government is committed to helping the tourism operators in these regions rebuild business confidence."

Mr Brown said tourism industry support for the campaign demonstrated the strong working relationship between the Government and tourism operators.