Mandurah Forum: the Peel region's ticket to tourism

That’s according to an IBISWorld study which found Australia’s luxury retailing industry has grown at a rapid pace over the past five years due to tourism, in particular from inbound tourists from Asia. 

The study found the popularity of brands such as Chanel and Gucci in Asia has contributed to the industry’s annual growth of 10.2 percent in the past five years. 

With luxury brands such as these sold at the new David Jones, and businesses such as H&M actively marketing their new Peel stores, the Mandurah Forum is expected to attract more tourists.  

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The most recent Tourism Research Australia survey found the Peel region saw 1.7 million domestic, and 492,923 international overnight visitors last year. 

Of these international visitors, 38 percent were from Asia.

While there are no tourism forecasts for Peel, the Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation (MAPTO) expects the industry to become an even more important pillar in the region’s future. 

“Quality shopping and dining experiences are certainly on the radar of potential visitors,” MAPTO chief Karen Priest said. 

“The more there is to see and do in a location, the more attractive it is for a wider range of people.

“In addition, with Mandurah Forum and many of the specialty stores actively marketing, the opening will help raise awareness of the region and what it has to offer.

“And it’s great to see Mandurah Forum offering a ‘tourist ticket’ providing discounts at stores for anyone that lives more than 50km from the centre.”

While shopping is not the main motivator for international travel, it is often in the top 10 reasons and is often an experience visitors will want to undertake – something which Mandurah Forum’s centre manager Jacqueline McKenzie said the redevelopment wanted to capitalise on. 

“Consumer research conducted prior to the redevelopment showed the centre was seen as out-dated and not in line with the way visitors viewed Mandurah as a destination, so we saw huge potential in repositioning the centre to tourists as a true destination where they can shop, feast and connect,” she said. 

“The research also confirmed that domestic visitors were looking for a shopping and dining experience that reflected the region, while international tourists were also looking for more fashion and boutique offers. 

“The redeveloped Mandurah Forum now fulfills this, and we’re confident our new offering will appeal to both audiences.”

Follow Amy Martin on Twitter @EntertainingAmy