The tourism industry continues to make a significant contribution to the Kimberley Region's economic activity. Direct flights linking the Kimberley to Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Darwin have enhanced the accessibility and attractiveness of the Region. Major population centres and natural attractions such as the Buccaneer Archipelago, Cable Beach, Cape Leveque, Geikie Gorge National Park, Lake Argyle, Manning Gorge, Mitchell Falls, Purnululu (Bungle Bungle) National Park, Windjana Gorge National Park, and Wolfe Creek meteor crater, continue to provide a wide range of tourism options in the Kimberley.

Of all the domestic overnight visitors across 2004 and 2005, 61 per cent came from other parts of Western Australia (intrastate) and 39 per cent came from outside Western Australia (interstate).

The two-year rolling average for domestic visitor expenditure across 2004 and 2005 was estimated at $195.6 million while international visitor expenditure was estimated at $31.7 million.

Forty per cent of domestic visitors travelled to the Kimberley in the months of July through to September, with a further 26 per cent visiting during October to December. By contrast, the majority of international visitors tended to tour the Kimberley from July to December. Considerable marketing and promotion of the Kimberley, particularly in April to May, is steadily expanding the tourist season to encompass a greater part of the year.

Of all the domestic visitors to the Region between 2004 and 2005, 62 per cent came for holiday/leisure and/or to visit friends/relatives, while 28 per cent visited for business reasons. When staying overnight in the Region, 50 per cent stayed in hotels, resorts, motels and motor inns, 17 per cent stayed in caravans, camping grounds or private property, while an additional 15 per cent stayed in property of friend or relative.

By contrast, 92 per cent of international visitors came to the Region for holiday/leisure, with 47 percent staying in caravans, and an additional 36 per cent staying in backpacker hostels. A significant number also staying in hotels, resorts and motels. The remaining domestic and international visitors utilised a wide range of accommodation options including rented houses and bed and breakfast establishments.

Tourism Western Australia monitors the level of private sector tourism development and reported that at June 2005, a total of 10 tourist accommodation projects worth $82.2 million were in the planning stage. A further five accommodation projects worth $12.7 million were under construction.

Source: Kimberley Economic Perspective