Ovation of the Seas docked in Fremantle. The cruis industry is having an impact on Fremantle development.
Camera IconOvation of the Seas docked in Fremantle. The cruis industry is having an impact on Fremantle development. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

Tourism boom having lasting impact on Fremantle’s development push

Jessica NicoFremantle Gazette

Once an area with limited tourism accommodation, Fremantle has seen a boom in new venues as it looks to cash in on the growing cruise industry and increase its share of the Perth tourism pie.

Among those that have opened since 2013 are the Hougoumont Hotel, Quest Apartment Hotel, Fremantle Beach Backpackers and the Fremantle Hostel. Three more, including the DoubleTree by Hilton, are either under construction or in the planning stage.

Before the City of Fremantle’s planning committee last week was another proposal, this time for a five-storey development on Adelaide Street, an item the councillors deferred to a later date.

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City economic development and marketing manager Tom Griffiths said tourism was one of the areas it was targeting with new development.

“Increasing the number of people living, working and recreating in Fremantle has been a key objective of the City for some time now and has resulted in significant planning scheme amendments and implementation of other investment attraction initiatives to encourage new residential and commercial developments in the port city, including tourism accommodation,” he said.

“An increase in availability and diversity of tourism accommodation in central Fremantle provides more accommodation options for tourists with different budget limits, therefore making Fremantle an attractive place to stay, strengthening our local economy.

“Data from Tourism WA and general feedback from the Fremantle Visitor Centre shows a positive visitor response not only to the increased availability of accommodation in Fremantle but the increased range of locations and styles.”