As Western Australia’s northern tourism season draws to a close, several vendors and operators feel the region is becoming increasingly isolated.

Jetstar Asia’s international route between Singapore and Broome was axed in July and the Tourism Council WA said 68 per cent of local operators expected to report financial losses.

The council estimated the cancellation cost the local economy about $4 million, with the loss of more than 1,400 international visitors over the remainder of the dry season.

Adding to concerns, domestic airline Nexus also scrapped its Darwin–Broome via Kununurra service the following month, further limiting air access to the region.

Four-wheel drives on a beach bathed in yellow light as the sun sets over the water.

Cable Beach is a popular tourist destination known for its four-wheel-drive access. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)

Immediate impact

Willie Creek Pearl Farm operations manager Katerina Dodds said Broome’s remoteness could pose challenges.

“We were obviously a bit disappointed with the cancellation of the Singapore flights because that was really opening up Broome to the world,” she said.

“We’re hoping maybe someone else could pick up that route to keep those kinds of access points open.”

Aerial view of bright creek with sandy edges.

Willie Creek Pearl Farm offers boat tours of the creek as part of its tourist experience. (ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne)

The pearl farm operates year-round, with reduced hours in the wet season, and offers visitors a glimpse into how oysters are harvested and pearls are cultivated.

Direct flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Broome have now ceased after the culmination of the tourism season, and Ms Dodds said they were already feeling the impact.

“Having direct flights from those capital cities like Melbourne and Sydney straight to Broome, we get so many people … we’ve definitely seen in this last week a real drop-off in those numbers,” she said.

Pearl jewellery on display.

Katerina Dodds says tourism is a critical side of the pearl farm’s business.  (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)

Broome shop owner Kelly Clifton, whose business sits on the main Chinatown strip, said she immediately noticed the absence of international visitors.

“We’re not seeing those international people come in anymore, and I just think the economy’s down, people can’t afford it,” she said.

“Broome is beautiful, we just need to promote it more and we’ll get more people.”Oyster shells hang from a tree.

Broome is known for its pearling industry, which has evolved beyond production to include tourism ventures. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)

At the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park, manager Owen Douglas said rising costs were another major pressure.

“In the last couple of years, obviously financially, the cost of living is coming up for everyone here, and even for us as business owners, the cost of getting supplies,” he said.

“For the first time in 15 years, we had to raise our entry costs.

“We still try to make it a really affordable experience for everyone, but it was something that we had to do this year to be able to continue to operate.”

Man sits next to fence with crocodile on other side.

Owen Douglas says the crocodile park has raised entry costs so it can continue to operate. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)

Aviation access critical 

Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said aviation access was absolutely critical to Broome’s success as a destination.

Broome-to-Singapore flights canned

Flights between Broome in WA’s north and Singapore are cut with the sudden announcement by Qantas that Jetstar Asia will cease to operate.

“The people who really want to come and who will spend a lot of money and boost that local economy are international and interstate visitors, and they clearly need that capacity to fly in,” he said.

Mr Hall said the council had urged the state government to make maintaining and expanding air access to Broome a top priority.

“If there are no fights from the east coast, the tourist season starts to wind down dramatically,” he said.

His sentiments were echoed by Australia’s North West executive Bill Tatchell.

Man in white shirt smiles in front of sign reading Australia's North West.

Bill Tatchell says air access to the region is vital. (ABC Kimberley: Ruby Littler)

“Any loss of a service has a direct impact because that is an amount of people not arriving via aeroplane to spend money in our community,” he said.

Better regulation

A spokesperson from the now defunct Jetstar Asia apologised for any inconvenience caused.

“This was a difficult decision, and we regret any impacts to the local tourism industry,” it said in a statement. 

People exiting a plane on a tarmac.

Jetstar Asia has permanently ceased operations, citing rising costs and competition in the regions it operates. (ABC Kimberley: Dunja Karagic)

Nexus Airlines called for better regulation of regional air routes to “safeguard essential air access”.

“With limited passenger volumes and high operating costs, a regulated model offers a practical solution to protect long-term service continuity and prioritise community needs,” a statement read.

“Regulation would help ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable services by aligning supply with demand …without any requirement for financial support from the state government.”

WA Transport Minister Rita Saffioti said in August the state government would continue to work with airlines on the future of international flights.