Tourism’s best will gather in the west next year with Fremantle/Walyalup announced as the host city for the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in 2026.
The famous Western Australian port city was unveiled as next year’s host of the annual awards at the 2025 event held in Adelaide last night.
The Awards are presented by the Australian Tourism Industry Council and are the pinnacle celebration for the Australian tourism industry, with winners and finalists from each state and territory competing across more than 25 categories, from major tourist attractions to cultural tourism experiences, accommodation, and restaurants. The Awards celebrate the achievements of outstanding individuals and businesses from the previous calendar year.
Fremantle won the rights to host the 2026 event after a collaborative bid from Tourism Western Australia and Business Events Perth, with additional support from the Rottnest Island Authority and the City of Fremantle.
The Awards will bring hundreds of delegates to Fremantle and attract a high-profile guest list each year, including federal and state tourism ministers, leaders of state and regional marketing bodies, and heads of national tourism industry associations.
Fremantle, as a popular historical and cultural hub, has been announced as the location for the gala Awards ceremony, with the iconic Rottnest Island/Wadjemup, known for its stunning beaches and the famous quokka, confirmed as the location for the accompanying Talking Tourism Business Forum.
Tourism WA Managing Director Anneke Brown said hosting the Awards will drive business visitation and elevate WA as a destination to a wide interstate audience, while also generating national media attention and industry recognition for the state’s world-class operators.
“Hosting this event is a fantastic opportunity for Western Australia and will allow us to showcase the wonders of WA and our incredible operators to industry professionals from around the nation,” she said.
Business Events Perth Chief Executive Officer Gareth Martin emphasised that securing the Australian Tourism Awards and Talking Tourism Business Forum 2025 is a testament to Western Australia’s reputation as a premier destination for world-class business events.
“Hosting this prestigious national event is a significant achievement for Western Australia, providing a valuable platform to showcase our state’s excellence in travel and tourism.
“It will bring industry leaders together, foster collaboration and further strengthen the state’s tourism and business events sector.”
Rottnest Island Authority Executive Director Jason Banks says the Talking Tourism Business Forum will showcase the best of Western Australia to local and interstate attendees.
“As the jewel in Western Australia’s tourism crown, we are delighted to welcome the Business Forum to Rottnest Island in 2026. Delegates will immerse themselves in the island’s cultural history and natural environment while collaborating with the best tourism operators from across Australia.”
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City of Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said the port city was excited to welcome Australia’s best operators to town in 2026.
“We are excited for the tourism industry’s best to experience all the unique attractions that make Fremantle a must-visit destination, where history, culture and coastal beauty intertwine.”
“They will see how easy it is to lose yourself in Fremantle’s enchanting streets, with boutique shops, hidden bars and vibrant street art, all set within one of Australia’s largest heritage-listed precincts.”
