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Kent AcottThe West Australian The number of West Australians travelling around their home State has jumped beyond five million for the first time since the 2007 global financial crisis. The

latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data show a 10 per cent increase in intrastate visitors in WA last year, compared with 2011 - from 4.689 million to 5.16 million. The increase is about

twice the national average (5.2 per cent) and second only to the Northern Territory (18 per cent). Although business travellers accounted for most of the increase, there was also a

significant rise in the number of people visiting friends and family (11.6 per cent). The destination with the biggest increase was the region known as Australia's Golden Outback, which

includes popular tourist locations such as Esperance, Kalgoorlie and Wave Rock. Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said the intrastate market was important to WA's tourism

sector because it accounted for nearly three-quarters of all visitors. "The recovery of the intrastate sector to pre-GFC levels is good news for the tourism industry," Ms Buckland

said. "We've been seeing double-digit growth in intrastate visitor numbers every quarter for the past two years as West Australians rediscover the many extraordinary destinations

and experiences our vast state has to offer." Margaret River's Harvest Tours owner Jamie Batrick-Nolan said there had been a significant increase in bookings from Perth residents.

"I get the feeling that people are beginning to get bored with Bali and are now prepared to explore their own State," the former stock exchange trader said. "They know that,

about three hours from Perth, they can have a very relaxing break and enjoy good food and wine." Harvest Tours has been operating for 16 months and incorporates gourmet food tastings

with wine, coffee, chocolate and local art on day-long tours. The ABS figures also show interstate tourism increased slightly last year - from 1.095 million to 1.112 million. GET THE LATEST

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