With celebrity chefs at last week's Western Australia Gourmet Escape showcasing the state as a world-class culinary tourism destination, there was no better time to sell WA as a food and wine region.
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The South West and Great Southern development commissions have tapped into opportunities presented by the spotlight shining on WA's premium produce by teaming up with industry organisations to host an international trade delegation.
Visiting importers and distributors as well as media and tourism representatives from Singapore and Malaysia spent time sampling what the state has to offer as a premium food and wine producing region.
The program incorporated a series of site visits to local businesses, trade tastings and showcase events in Perth and across the South West and Great Southern, as well as Western Australian Gourmet Escape events.
The inbound trade mission is one in an ongoing series organised by SWDC's TradeStart team as part of efforts to connect the region to global market opportunities.
Earlier this year, similar tours were organised around the Truffle Kerfuffle and Cabin Fever festivals.
South West Development Commission (SWDC) chief executive officer Mellisa Teede said the recently-formed Regional Trade Network worked to connect local businesses in the southern half of the state with potential future clients.
The fact that we have famed international chefs talking up WA goes a long way in cementing the region as a quality food and beverage producing region - as well as a great place to visit.
- Mellisa Teede, SWDC CEO
"We are pleased to once again be serving up export opportunities for local food and wine producers on the back of a major foodie festival as part of our ongoing efforts to support business growth and jobs creation," Ms Teede said.
"The fact that we have famed international chefs talking up WA goes a long way in cementing the region as a quality food and beverage producing region - as well as a great place to visit.
"Raising further awareness of the tourism offerings in the region forms part of the reason behind the visit, and we hope this visit helps to raise awareness of the opportunities for tourists, encouraging visitation from Malaysia."
The delegation is made possible thanks to a grant from Wine Australia with the support of Wines of Wester Australia, and is being supported by SWDC, Austrade, Great Southern Development Commission, Australia's South West, Margaret River Wine and Wines of Western Australia.
