9 October 2026 | The Australian Hotels Association (WA) has welcomed the launch of Western Australia’s first Night-Time Economy Strategy, describing it as a major win for the State’s hospitality industry and an important step towards making WA more vibrant, attractive and competitive after dark.
AHA(WA) CEO Bradley Woods AM said the Association had worked closely with the WA Government on measures to strengthen the state’s night-time economy and welcomed the Government’s commitment to a coordinated, statewide approach.
The Strategy establishes a framework covering hospitality, tourism, arts and culture, sport and recreation, retail, events and entertainment between 6pm and 6am, with an action plan to follow setting practical initiatives and priorities through to 2029.
“This is a significant win for vibrancy in Western Australia and an important recognition of the role hospitality venues play in creating great cities, towns and communities,” Mr Woods said.
“AHA(WA) has been working closely with the Government on how we can remove barriers, encourage greater activation and create the conditions for a stronger and more diverse night-time economy.
“For too long, discussions about the night-time economy have focused too narrowly on what happens late at night. This Strategy recognises that it is much bigger than that – it is our pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels, live music venues, events, cultural attractions and entertainment precincts all working together to create places people want to visit and enjoy.
“A strong night-time economy is also a strong visitor economy. When people visit Western Australia, we want them to find plenty to see and do after the sun goes down, whether they are in Perth or travelling through our regions.
“The scale of the opportunity is significant, with WA’s night-time economy already supporting more than 140,000 jobs and generating around $23 billion in annual turnover.”
Mr Woods said the focus must now turn to translating the Strategy into practical reforms that make it easier for businesses to contribute to vibrant precincts.
“The Strategy sets the direction; the next step is making sure the action plan delivers tangible outcomes on the ground.
“That means continuing to work across Government and with local governments to address unnecessary barriers to activation, support live entertainment, encourage investment and ensure regulation enables rather than inhibits responsible businesses.
“Western Australia has world-class hospitality venues, outstanding food and beverage, major events and an increasingly strong entertainment offering. We now have an opportunity to bring those strengths together and build a night-time economy that matches WA’s ambitions as a global tourism destination.
The Night-Time Economy Strategy was launched alongside the Western Australia Business Events Strategy 2026–2030, recognising that a vibrant night-time economy is critical to the visitor experience, while a strong business events sector is a major driver of demand for WA’s hotels, hospitality venues and broader visitor economy.
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For more info, contact Angela Beechey, Government Relations & Communications Manager on 0419 190 406 or by emailing [email protected]
The AHA(WA) is the authoritative voice for the hospitality and accommodation industry in Western Australia. Since 1892, we have protected and developed the interests of our members, through strong representation and the pursuit of industry excellence. Our mission is to ensure the hospitality industry remains a vital part of the Australian way of life and to amplify the voices of those we represent.
