Giants of Mandurah “a massive win for the local tourism industry”, injects $64m into Peel region

Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah has been a towering success in its first year according to an economic assessment of the 12 months between November 2022 and ’23.

The Australian-first installation has seen more than 86,000 visitors from outside the Peel region spending almost 350,000 nights in local accommodation.

The five giants, Seba’s Song, Santi Ikto, Little Lui, Yaburgurt Winjan Cirkelstone and Jyttes Hytte (plus Bille Bob in Subiaco) have been discovered by via interactive trail maps.

“This $64 million in visitor spend is a fantastic result for our Peel region,” said Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti.

“Giants of Mandurah has delivered a valuable boost to local accommodation, hospitality and tourism industries and will continue to delight visitors as the installation continues for the foreseeable future.

FORM, who initiated, produced and managed the project, were also thrilled with the results.

“FORM is so proud of this project. It has been such a privilege to work alongside the cast of many who helped bring this enormous vision to life,” said FORM CEO Tabitha McMullan.

“For more than two decades, FORM has delivered projects that harness the power of creativity to transform the lives, learning and livelihoods of Western Australians across the State. As a free-to-view attraction, Thomas Dambo’s Giants of Mandurah has provided access to arts and culture for hundreds of thousands of people within and beyond our State’s borders.”

According to FORM, the economic assessment determined overall that the installation saw “an influx of almost half a million visitors, generating $81 million in direct economic impact to local business and delivering a Return On Investment of 47.1.”

Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams said the giants have already become part of Mandurah identity, and helped to showcase Mandurah’s natural environment and tourism potential: “The Giants of Mandurah have become a really special part of Mandurah’s story, and the state’s wider arts and culture landscape, since we welcomed them in late 2022,” he said.

“As well as capturing the hearts and minds of local, national and international visitors, the Giants have helped to reframe our story and have become a big part of Mandurah’s identity, helping us to further showcase our natural environment to the world.”

There is still plenty of time to visit the giants, with FORM handing responsibility over to the City of Mandurah to oversee and manage the trail – find out more at giantsofmandurah.com.au.

Image Credit: Supplied/Duncan Wright