Terracotta Warriors becomes WA Museum’s most successful exhibition ever
Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor drew 323,223 visitors, generated almost $200 million for Western Australia, and set a new WA Museum record.
NEWS & CURRENT AFFAIRS
Western Australia’s Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor has been named the most successful exhibition in WA Museum history, drawing 323,223 visitors and generating almost $200 million in economic activity for the state.
The WA Museum said the exhibition delivered a 94% visitor satisfaction rating and created strong tourism, cultural and business outcomes across Western Australia.
The blockbuster show brought more than 225 Chinese artefacts to Perth, including terracotta figures, with many objects appearing outside China for the first time.
A WA Museum story said the exhibition gave audiences a chance to stand face-to-face with one of the world’s greatest cultural treasures and described the show as a landmark moment for the institution.
The museum’s post-visit analysis found that more than 90,000 visitors travelled from outside Perth, contributing almost $72 million to the state economy.
It also recorded more than 73,000 visitor nights, nearly $4 million spent with local suppliers, and involvement from 189 local WA businesses.
The exhibition’s return on investment was estimated at 10:1, meaning every dollar invested generated about $10 in value for Western Australia.
Premier Roger Cook said the exhibition showed how cultural events can support economic diversification, tourism and local businesses.
He said, “My government is committed to diversifying the WA economy so it remains the strongest in the nation,” and added that the exhibition demonstrated the value of investing in cultural tourism.
The WA Museum said, “We knew it would be special, but we couldn’t have known just how far its impact would reach,” and thanked visitors, partners, sponsors and supporters for helping make the exhibition memorable.
Tourism Council WA CEO Evan Hall previously said the exhibition would be an economic driver, arguing that exclusive cultural events “are economic drivers and job creators for the state.”
All rights belong to their respective owners. This article contains references and insights based on publicly available information and sources. We do not claim ownership over any third party content mentioned.
DAILY WA © 2025
Daily WA Online is an independent news and media platform covering Western Australia. Owned by TMFS International Pty Ltd., we publish local stories, business insights, lifestyle features, and community voices for the digital era.
