Perth–Rome: a new era in connectivity between Australia and Italy
On 5 May, Perth’s historic His Majesty’s Theatre hosted an important event dedicated to the relaunch and strategic value of the direct Perth–Rome flight operated by Qantas.
The initiative, organised by the Italian Consulate in Perth with the support of the Italian Embassy and ENIT Sydney, brought together institutional representatives, key players from the aviation and tourism sectors, and numerous members of the Italian‑Australian community.
The goal of the evening was to highlight the increasingly central role of the Perth–Rome connection in strengthening tourism, economic and cultural relations between the two countries.
A strategic discussion on connectivity between Australia and Europe
The evening opened with a roundtable titled “Rome–Perth: a driver for the growth of tourism and relations between Italy and Australia”, moderated by tourism expert Justin Wastnage.
Among the institutional contributions were those of Hon. Reece Whitby, the Ambassador of Italy to Australia H.E. Nicola Lener, representatives from Perth Airport and Qantas, who emphasised Perth’s growing importance as a privileged gateway to Europe.Emanuele Attanasio, representing ENIT, presented the latest data on tourism flows from Australia to Italy, highlighting steady and significant growth.
Attanasio recalled that Italy continues to be the top European destination for Australian travellers, driven by interest in culture, history, art, lifestyle, food and wine, and the country’s extraordinary landscape diversity. He also underlined the strong emotional connection Australians feel towards Italy and everything that embodies Made in Italy: from major art cities to small villages, from authentic experiences to food‑and‑wine and cultural itineraries.
According to the discussion, the direct Perth–Rome flight is already reshaping Australian travel habits, with passengers increasingly favouring non‑stop solutions and shorter travel times. Perth is consolidating its role as a strategic hub even for travellers from Australia’s east coast, while Rome is increasingly perceived as the starting point of the European experience rather than just a transit stop.
The evolution of the “Kangaroo Route”
One of the central themes of the roundtable was the future of the historic Kangaroo Route, which has undergone major transformations over the years: from long itineraries with multiple stopovers to today’s direct or single‑stop connections.
Speakers discussed the strategic role of new ultra‑long‑range aircraft, capable of redefining global connectivity and opening new opportunities for “long thin” routes, increasingly in demand.
Significant attention was also given to current geopolitical dynamics and their impact on international air routes, particularly in relation to traditional Middle Eastern and Asian hubs.
Tourism, economy and bilateral relations
The Perth–Rome flight is already proving to be a key driver of tourism growth between the two countries. On one hand, Australian demand for Italy continues to rise; on the other, the direct connection opens new opportunities to attract European visitors to Western Australia.
The evening also highlighted the potential positive impact of a future EU–Australia trade agreement, noting how the aviation sector represents a fundamental tool for strengthening economic, cultural and diplomatic relations.
A celebration of Italian culture
After the roundtable, the evening continued with a refined cultural programme celebrating the bond between Italy and Australia.
Following the screening of an introductory video, students from the UWA Conservatorium of Music performed the famous “Brindisi” from La Traviata.
Institutional speeches and musical moments alternated throughout the event, culminating in a finale featuring “Con te partirò”, performed by West Australian Opera ambassador Claire Condipodero accompanied on piano by Andy Li, with images dedicated to Qantas and Italy projected on the theatre’s large screen.
A bridge between two worlds
The event also showcased new cultural collaborations, including the project Voices of Two Worlds presented by Giuseppe Fausto Modugno, confirming the essential role of culture in strengthening international dialogue.
During the concluding networking cocktail, a shared message clearly emerged: the Perth–Rome flight is far more than a simple air connection. It is a strategic bridge between two continents, capable of bringing people, cultures and economies closer together, further reinforcing the historic bond between Australia and Italy.