Funds to help centre move

Exmouth Visitor Centre has been selected among 36 centres across WA to receive funding under the Regional Visitor Centre Sustainability Grant program.

The State Government grant will be used to help the service move into the new Ningaloo Centre, which is due for completion next year.

Exmouth Visitor Centre general manager Kristy Bryan-Smith said the move would improve visitors’ experience in Exmouth.

North West Central MLA Vince Catania said the funding helped centres remain viable in the changing tourism landscape.

“Visitor centres in North West Central play a vital role in boosting regional tourism, employment and skills development,” he said.

“Overall, visitor centres employ more than 900 local people and inject $117 million into the State’s economy annually.” Mr Catania said research indicated travellers spent more time and money in an area when they used a visitor centre.