Italian delegates and Qantas representatives gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the relaunch and strategic importance of the airline’s direct Perth to Rome flight.
The evening brought together government officials, aviation leaders, tourism representatives and members of the Italian-Australian community to highlight the growing importance of the Perth to Rome connection.
Held at Perth’s historic His Majesty’s Theatre, the event was organised by the city’s Italian Consulate with support from the Embassy of Italy in Australia and the Italian National Tourist Board.
The evening opened with a roundtable discussion exploring the route’s impact on tourism, trade, and cultural relations between the two countries moderated by tourism expert Justin Wastnage.
Key institutional voices included the Hon. Reece Whitby, Italy’s Ambassador to Australia H. E Nicola Lener, and senior representatives from Perth Airport and Qantas.
Their remarks highlighted the increasing importance of Perth as a western gateway to Europe, rather than simply a destination.
Head of the Italian National Tourist Board for Australia & New Zealand, Emanuele Attanasio, shared the latest tourism data outlining strong and sustained growth in travel from Australia to Italy.
He emphasised that Italy continues to hold its position as the number one European destination for Australian travellers, driven by a unique combination of culture, history, lifestyle, gastronomy and regional diversity. Attanasio noted that this enduring appeal reflects Australians’ deep affinity with “everything Italian.”
The evolution of the Kangaroo Route
A central theme of the evening was the transformation of Qantas’ historic Kangaroo Route.
Participants examined the role of next-generation aircraft, including ultra long-range models, in enabling more direct connections. Airspace constraints and shifting transit preferences were a key topic, particularly in light of instability in traditional travel hubs.
Following the discussion, guests were treated to a cultural programme that celebrated Italy and Australia’s shared heritage.
Students from the UWA Conservatorium of Music delivered a stirring performance of the “Brindisi” from La Traviata before a grand finale performance of ‘Con te partirò’, performed by West Australian Opera Ambassador Claire Condipodero.
