The WA and Tasmanian tourism industries have joined forces to lobby for direct Perth-Hobart flights following on from the buzz around news that Qantas will be flying from Perth to London direct from March 2018.

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall and Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said this week’s historic announcement by Qantas of a direct service between Perth and London, establishing Perth as Australia’s future gateway to Europe, meant the time was right for both States to work towards a direct service.

Mr Hall said the establishment of Perth as Australia’s gateway hub to Europe would be a winner for Australian travellers, including Tasmania.

Play Video Non-stop trips from Perth could cut fares, says Qantas boss. The West Australian Video Non-stop trips from Perth could cut fares, says Qantas boss.

“We want to see more direct services into Perth from all major Australian population centres, including Hobart, establishing Perth as the layover of choice for Australians flying onto Europe,” he said.

"Australians love the layover on the way to Europe, be it Singapore or elsewhere.

“In the future, they can come to Perth and have a great time in Perth or even visit regional WA, on their way through to London."

Camera Icon Evan Hall. Credit: Sharon Smith/The West Australian.

Mr Hall said the opening of the Perth Stadium later next year was another critical opportunity for further direct services into the eastern states.

“We all know how much Tasmanians love their AFL, and just like Western Australians footy fans have been travelling to Tasmania for years to support the Dockers and Eagles, we see a fantastic opportunity to grow the market of Tasmanians travelling to Perth to experience footy and cricket in our new world-class stadium,” he said.

“This can only be a win-win for both States and we’ll work with the airlines and our Tasmanian counterparts to help make it happen.”

Mr Martin said the enormous potential for tourism and travel between WA and Tasmania could be better realised with a direct flight.

“We’ve seen the amazing visitor growth to Tasmania from South-East Queensland over the past decade since direct services were established and there is absolutely no reason why we couldn’t achieve similar growth out of WA with a direct service,” he said.

Mr Martin said the launch of the Dreamliner direct service between Perth and London was also a strategic opportunity for the State.

“The launch of the Dreamliner service to London is a game-changer for Australian air travel, and with a direct service between Perth and Hobart, it means Tasmania would become a one-stop flight from London,” he said.

“This has the potential to change the whole ballgame in how we engage with the European market, and as a State we need to set our sights now on building the business case and working with the airlines for a regular year-round direct service between Hobart and Perth.”