WA Government reveals plans to build luxury hotel at Perth Zoo as Robert Irwin speaks at summit

Australia Zoo’s Robert Irwin has heaped praise on Perth as a shining example in eco-tourism while speaking at a WA summit, as the State Government reveals plans for a eco-lodge at the city’s Zoo.

Irwin, the son of the late “crocodile hunter” Steve Irwin, spoke on Thursday at the World Travel and Tourism Council global summit at Crown Perth, where he spoke about his love of the west.

“This is one of the most incredible places in the world. I mean, we all know Australia is just something else, but this spot, I mean, (this is) one of the most remote cities on earth, but they prioritise eco-tourism, so darn well, mate,” he said

“I just love it here so much. Such a good spot.”

The WA Government used the summit to encourage international investment in an eco-lodge with up to 50 luxury rooms at the heart of Perth Zoo.

The site, which would become available in 2029, overlooks the African savannah experience and would cover 5000sqm over five storeys within the grounds of the Zoo.

Under the plans, the proposed five-storey hotel or eco-lodge would be accessible to the general public, not just zoo guests, and would be close to the new Maali Function Centre.

Irwin also outlined his belief that zoos should not be run as tourist attractions, despite his family running the hugely popular Australia Zoo.

In a passionate question-and-answer session, Irwin, who works at his family’s Australia Zoo in Queensland, spoke of the place zoos and aquariums had in the modern age.

“It’s often this one size fits all, sort of name that’s just pertained to everything. and it often comes with those negative connotations,” he said.

“These days, in my opinion, what a zoo is, what it should be, is a place that is there for the whole sole purpose to facilitate conservation. That is why a zoo should exist. That’s the only reason it should exist.

“Conservation in two ways, conservation in education, and conservation by actually giving back funds on the ground where it matters to reputable and sustainable conservation projects with the very species that people are seeing that’s where we need to get to.”

Irwin said his family’s philosophy in running the Australia Zoo — which is focused on rehabilitating injured animals — was that the animals came first.

“Australia Zoo, our business model is animals first, then our team and last on the list is guests and people go, you can’t run a tourism operation like that — I mean you guess that that is why they have a zoo,” he said.

“No, it’s not. When someone visits somewhere with beautiful animals, with happy keepers, with a positive environment, where animals are living life to the fullest, they know they’re giving back to conservation and the animals come first. That’s what gives you a fantastic experience.”

Irwin also spoke about his late father, Steve, who was killed after being injured by a stingray in 2006.

“It’s something that I think about every single day, and the legacy that each one of us leaves, and really the power that every single person has to make change,” he said.

“I often reflect on this incredible, enormous empire of conservation and positivity that my dad and my family created, that I get to continue forth.

“Dad inspires me every day, because he was one man who had the passion and the drive to make a difference, and that’s what he did.

“He changed the world. He was one of the world leaders for wildlife conservation, and made conservation universal.”

Irwin’s speech was the finale of the three-day tourism summit, which Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said had been a success.

“I didn’t really know what to expect. It was something that the team at Tourism were very keen to secure, and I’m glad we backed it, because it’s been incredible,” she said.

“Sometimes it takes a visitor to tell you how good your state is

“All the feedback, and it’s been honest feedback, is how great the State is, what beautiful landscape, our clean environment, the space that we have, these are all building blocks to, I think, support a greater tourism investment.”

The summit, which drew hundreds of delegates and international journalists to Perth, announced it would next year host the event in Rome, Italy.