The first formal awards for tourism operators in Australia were introduced by the Western Australian Department of Tourism in 1972. Designed to promote and reward excellence in tourism operations, the awards were named in honour of the first Western Australian Minister for Tourism and former Premier, Sir David Brand. The awards were presented annually by the department, presently the WA Tourism Commission.

In 1995, organisation of the Sir David Brand Awards for Tourism was passed to the Western Australian branch of Tourism Council Australia. In 1996 the Awards were renamed 'The Western Australian Tourism Awards', incorporating the Sir David Brand Award and Medals.

 Each year the WA Awards are presented at a formal dinner in November and the National Awards are announced in February.The Western Australian Tourism Awards are recognised as the major tourism industry annual event and are universally regarded as the industry's most prestigious function, attracting wide media coverage and enthusiastic industry-wide support.