Mayor Shane Van Styn says the Abrolhos Islands could be key in turning around WA’s tourism market. Picture: Eco Abrolhos

The Abrolhos Islands are one of Western Australia’s hidden gems and City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn says they could be the answer to turning around the state’s tourism market.

With statistics showing there was a five per cent decline in spending by tourists in WA last year, Mayor Van Styn said the Abrolhos Islands are an untapped resource that could turn numbers around.

“It is alarming that WA was the only state to have a decline in the $40 billion industry in 2017,” he said.

“We think the Abrolhos Islands has exactly what it takes to bring more tourists to our state to see an increase in the amount our tourists are spending.

“It could be the next biggest exciting destination in Australia, a real game changer!”

The 122 islands that make up the Abrolhos are located 60km off the coast of Geraldton in the Midwest and have been predominately inhabited by rock lobster fishermen.

There has been a compelling case put to the State Government to turn the Abrolhos into a National Park to create world-class tourism opportunities including accommodation and other facilities.

“With best practice management in place of the Islands’ terrestrial and marine environment, we could create a huge tourism opportunity but it will be imperative to preserve the area’s nature, culture and visitor appeal,” Mayor Van Styn said.

“The State Government has announced $10million to fund best practice management and development of the Abrolhos Islands and we would ideally like this funding to be brought forward to the 2018/19 financial year so we can take a hold and enhance this opportunity in the very near future.”

Mayor Van Styn also added that modelling indicated the development of the Abrolhos would create huge economic benefits.

“Resultant growth in tourism is projected to increase business revenues by over $70 million and increase economic benefits over $100 million in the first decade,” he said.

“Not to mention the amount of local jobs it would create.

“We believe the Abrolhos Islands has what it takes to be the turning point for tourism in WA.”