Tourism News

VOTE FOR SA - AND MOVE ADELAIDE TO MAYFAIR

Is Adelaide the new Mayfair? South Australian destinations are proving the most popular in the country, according to an online poll run by the makers of Monopoly.

The results of the online poll will determine which State features in prime position on a new, Australian version of the board game – and South Australia has taken an early lead.

South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive, Bill Spurr, says this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase our State to the world, and has urged South Australians to continue voting for their favourite destination.

“Right now, South Australia is in top spot with more than 35 per cent of the vote, followed by Western Australia on 33.8 per cent and Victoria with 15 per cent,” Mr Spurr says.

The five South Australian regions in the running to appear on the new version of Monopoly include Adelaide, the Flinders Ranges, Barossa, the Murraylands and Kangaroo Island.

“Our State has 12 fantastic regions and all would be worthy inclusions in the Australian edition of Monopoly,” Mr Spurr says.
“The five regions on the short-list reflect our State’s diversity.

These regions offer outstanding wine and food, festivals and events, culture and history and unique nature, coastal, marine and outback experiences – making up the brilliant blend that is South Australia.

“From this list, the three regions with the most votes will make it on to the Monopoly board. The number of votes will also determine where each region will appear on the game board.

“This is the first time in its 25-year history that the Australian version of Monopoly has undergone a facelift and it is a great chance to promote South Australia.”

South Australians can vote for their favourite destination on the internet once a day, by logging on to www.monopoly.com.au until 10 February and the new Australian edition of Monopoly will be launched in June.

“During the voting process you can actually click to see a live results page, so you can see how South Australia is performing against all the other states.

“You can also look to see how each region is performing against the others within our State.

“Let’s get behind South Australia and shape the history of Monopoly now and into the future.”

For more information call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610 or 0402 380 167 

NEW FLIGHTS TO KANGAROO ISLAND

South Australian owned and operated flight company, Air South, has expanded its operations to Kangaroo Island with the launch of a new airline service.

In a first for the Adelaide-based company, Air South has begun running a regular regional airline service.
Previously the company has focussed on charter flight operations across the State.

While charter services will remain a key focus of Air South, Managing Director Michael Kohn said the latest move was in response to strong demand for regional passenger services, particularly among inbound tourists and the local community who commute from the island to the mainland.

The airline, which is to be known as Air South Regional, began operation on January 30.

Air South Regional will operate four return passenger flights each day from Adelaide Airport’s General Aviation Terminal to Kangaroo Island (arriving at Kingscote). Select amounts of cargo can also be booked on the flights.

The Adelaide departure times are 7am, 9am, 3.30pm and 5.30pm while the Kangaroo Island departure times are 8am, 10am, 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

“Having flown charter services to Kangaroo Island for some time, we identified an opportunity to provide tourists and local commuters with an efficient, hassle free passenger flight,” Mr Kohn said.

Air South currently employs 12 staff in total, and Mr Kohn expects to employ three more pilots to run the new airline service.
Air South remains the largest air charter fleet in South Australia with about 40% of the total charter business in Adelaide.

Its charter customers are medium to large companies looking to transport cargo or staff to regional or outback destinations across Australia as well as the Country Fire Service which uses Air South to transport personnel to battle bushfires.

For more information please call Michael Kohn on 08 8234 3244 or 0412 094 225


A BRILLIANT TIME AHEAD FOR SA

Adelaide’s jam-packed calendar of events and festivals in early 2007 is the subject of a new campaign to promote Brilliant Adelaide to potential tourists across Australia.

The campaign follows a huge year for tourism in 2006, with increasing numbers of international tourists and high levels of occupancy in South Australian hotels, motels and serviced apartments.

The latest Australian Bureau of Stastics’ figures show near record-breaking hotel occupancy levels during the September quarter of 2006, following on from record high occupancy in the March quarter last year.

Tourism Minister John Hill says the new Brilliant Adelaide campaign aims to boost visitor numbers through promotion of the State’s range of internationally acclaimed sports and arts events.

“Once again, South Australia is the place to be this year,” Minister Hill says.

“We have another huge festival and events season ahead of us, with an action-packed calendar that started last month with major cycling, cricket and golf events.

“Festivals and events are not only great fun for visitors and locals alike, they are also good for local business and good for jobs.
“Attracting more people to South Australia also benefits our regional communities where tourism is big business and helps to offset the effects of the drought.

“The 2006-07 State Budget provided significant additional funds to help us attract and promote a year-round calendar of major events in South Australia.”

The $375,000 Brilliant Adelaide campaign includes a 32-page insert in The Sunday Mail, and a strong on-line component, including a website which can be accessed via southaustralia.com

In addition, 250,000 interstate visitors were targeted through a direct mail and direct email campaign in December last year.
“Brilliant Adelaide further cements our reputation as the events capital of Australia. We will be putting out the welcome mat for visitors and I also encourage South Australians to join in the fun.”

Brilliant Adelaide is jointly funded by the State Government and major event organisers, including Thoroughbred Racing SA, Clipsal 500, International Rugby Sevens, Harness Racing SA, Australasian Masters Games, Adelaide Festival Centre and the Royal Show.

Events being promoted through the Brilliant Adelaide campaign include:

Jacob’s Creek Open Championship – February 15 to 18
Magic Millions – February 21
Adelaide Cup Carnival – February 21 to March 17
Adelaide Film Festival – February 22 to March 4
2007 Clipsal 500 Adelaide – March 1 to 4
Adelaide Fringe – March 8 to 31
WOMADelaide – March 9 to 11
2007 World Police and Fire Games – March 16 to 25
International Rugby Sevens Adelaide – April 7 to 8
Sundays at the Adelaide Festival Centre – Every Sunday 10am to 4pm

For more information call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610 or 0402 380 167


JETSTAR FURTHER EXPANDS FLIGHTS TO ADELAIDE

Jetstar will further grow its low fare services to Adelaide with the publishing of its latest flight schedule.

From 25 March 2007, Jetstar will fly a minimum 40 weekly return services (80 flights per week) between Adelaide and eight interstate destinations including Sydney, Melbourne (Avalon), Brisbane and Cairns.

Jetstar’s new additional services include an increase to its existing three times weekly Adelaide – Gold Coast operations to a daily direct (seven times weekly) service from 25 March.

Direct Adelaide to Darwin flights by Jetstar will also grow by an additional frequency to five times weekly.

Jetstar will continue to fly daily direct between Adelaide and Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne (Avalon) Airport.

Jetstar Chief Executive Alan Joyce said the catalyst for Jetstar’s sustainable growth in Adelaide has been the successful establishment in the past year of an Airbus A320 flight crew base in Adelaide.

Mr Joyce said the base will create 87 new direct jobs by positioning two jet aircraft full time at Adelaide Airport.

“Positive customer demand for our services has also encouraged Jetstar to again sustainably grow our Adelaide operations,” Mr Joyce said.

For more information please call Simon Westaway on 0401 994 627


NEW VISITOR TRANSPORT SERVICE FOR THE BAROSSA

Barossa Valley Coaches have introduced a new Dial-A-Ride service, to assist visitors with transport between Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston.

The company, who has been providing a daily passenger service between the Barossa and Adelaide since the mid-1980’s, introduced the new Dial-A-Ride bus service last month.

Jenni Hoffmann, Public Relations Officer for Barossa Valley Coaches said there had been a shortage of this type of transport service within the Barossa.

“There are many visitors who come here without their own vehicle and find it difficult to get around, and we are confident this service will be successful in meeting their needs,” she said.

“This is ideal for visitors to the Barossa, who want to get an overall view of the towns.”

Regional Marketing Manager for the Barossa Racheal Klitscher said she anticipated this service would be well utilised, particularly by visitors from overseas.

The Dial-A-Ride service enables visitors and locals to travel between each town for just $5.00 per ride per person. Visitors with limited time can choose to join the service for a loop of Tanunda, Nuriootpa and Angaston.

The service operates from 9.00am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday. Bookings are encouraged at least 2 hours in advance and pick-ups are available from the Barossa Visitor Information Centre in Tanunda.

Bus timetables for Barossa Valley Coaches regular Public Transport services are available at the Barossa Visitor Centre, online at www.barossa.com or by simply dialling 08 8564 2212.

For further information call Jenni Hoffman 08 8564 3022

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