North-West tourism groups demand reserved seats on flights during project boom
Tourism advocates want airline seats reserved for visitors. Major infrastructure projects starting in 2027 could limit visitor access to the North-West region.
West by North West chief executive Gabriella Conti warned about energy, mining and infrastructure projects from 2027. Project workers could fill available flights and beds across Burnie, Devonport and the West Coast, limiting tourists and damaging the region's brand.
State and federal governments should plan for tourism early, she said. They should not rely on quick fixes.
Other industry figures disagree on how to solve this. Business Northwest president Des Hodgetts said the influx would likely create more flights overall, securing better airline service.
Clean Energy Tasmania chairman Ian Jones suggested project companies would charter dedicated planes for workers, avoiding conflict with tourist seats.
- 2027
- Projects start
- Burnie, Devonport, West Coast
- Regions affected
- Gabriella Conti
- West by North West chief executive
Why it mattersIf project workers fill tourist flights, visitor numbers could drop significantly. Tourism jobs across the region could shrink.
AustraliaTourist accessibility and accommodation costs in Burnie, Devonport and West Coast towns could suffer if infrastructure projects are not managed with visitor economy in mind.
Corroborated bytheadvocate.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 3 h ago
