Tourism chiefs visit Geraldton’s attraction

Tourism WA board members and executive team will visit Geraldton later this month for a whirlwind tour of the region.

During the three-day trip the group will meet local tourism operators, visit the region’s big-ticket attractions and hold a meeting.

City of Greater Geraldton Economic Development and Tourism Manager Trish Palmonari said the trip was a major opportunity for the city.

“It’s really exciting for us,” she said.

“What they’re saying by coming up is that Geraldton is ready to be part of the bigger picture of tourism in Western Australia.

“We’ll be taking them for the ride of their lives and will show them everything — we’re doing the whole itinerary.”

Ms Palmonari said the tour would include the HMAS Sydney II Memorial, St Francis Xavier Cathedral, Port Gregory’s Pink Lake and a flight over the Abrolhos Islands.

Tourism WA’s visit marks a year since the inaugural Growing Greater Geraldton Tourism Investment Summit was held at Queens Park Theatre.

More than 260 people attended the two-day summit, which was a collaboration between the City of Greater Geraldton, Broadwater Hotels and Resorts and Tourism Geraldton.

Despite the successful debut, Tourism Geraldton chair Scott Cogar said the summit would not run this year.

“It was one of the most successful and positive forums I’ve been to,” he said.

“We wanted to have a key event ... to convince investors this is a key place for investment.

“But it cost a lot of money, time, energy and effort.

“There’s no way I’d recommend or encourage Geraldton to have this summit every year — but it could be done every second or third year.”

Tourism WA representatives will be in Geraldton from May 29 to 31.