A global tourism summit headed to Perth has secured world-famous environmentalist Robert Irwin as a major speaker — with the popular TV personality set to follow the likes of former US President Barack Obama and wilderness survivalist Bear Grylls.
WA last year secured the 2024 World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit — to be held at Crown from October 8 to 10, in a first for any Australian city.
The event this year will be themed Ancient Land: New Perspectives, which will give WA the chance to showcase its striking natural beauty and an Aboriginal cultural heritage that is tens of thousands of years old.
Mr Irwin — the son of late-Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin — will follow in the footsteps of Mr Obama, French President Emmanuel Macron, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and actor and philanthropist Edward Norton, who have all spoken at previous year’s events.
The 20-year-old star has continued his father’s legacy, alongside his mother and sister — including conservation, snake handling and wrestling crocodiles at Australia Zoo.
Hundreds of tourism industry leaders are set to attend including Emirates, Etihad Airlines, Expedia and Visa.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti said Mr Irwin, like his father before him, was a household Australian name that the Government was “excited” to have secured.
“Robert’s passion for wildlife and nature definitely make him an ideal speaker for this event, and I have no doubt he’ll be a major drawcard for attendees,” Ms Saffioti said.
“We’re really proud to be supporting this high-profile business event which will spotlight Western Australia as an emerging global leader, showcase our State’s incredible natural landscapes while also elevating new tourism investment opportunities.”
Ms Saffioit, who is also Deputy Premier and Treasurer, said business delegates typically injected five times more than the average tourist into the local economy.
“There are also major economic benefits to be realised from events like WTTC, which is why we continue to invest and focus on attracting these to WA alongside our other major events,” she said.