Tourism News

SA WINS INTERNATIONAL VOLLEYBALL EVENT

Millions of beach volleyball fans from around the world will have their eyes on Adelaide next February when Adelaide hosts a leg of the world’s major international beach volleyball tour.
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith and Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Michael Wright announced that the State has won the rights to host a leg of the prestigious Swatch FIVB World Tour.
The five-year deal, to be finalised shortly with the Federation of International Volleyball, will bring the world’s best beach volleyball players to South Australia from 2008.
The Rann Government has contributed funding over five years to secure the event, which will count towards Olympic qualification for competitors.
Dr Lomax-Smith says it is the biggest international beach volleyball event ever to be held in Australia, outside the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
“Volleyball is an extremely popular sport in Asia, Europe and the Americas, with an estimated 500 million participants worldwide.
“When Australia played China to qualify for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, the match was broadcast live and watched by an estimated 300 million people in China alone.
“We will be badging players’ uniforms with a South Australian logo to promote our State to a potential television audience of 400 million people across 160 countries.
“In particular, it will help to increase South Australia’s reputation as a beach destination among interstate and overseas tourism markets.
“This event is a great win for South Australia and adds to a growing list of major sporting, arts and cultural events to be held in our State.
“We have the rights to an international rugby sevens event for five years and this year we will host the International Guitar Festival for the first time.
“On top of that, we have the perennial favourites such as WOMADelaide, The Fringe, Festival of Arts, Clipsal 500 and the Tour Down Under.”
Minister Wright says Australia is considered among the best in the world for beach volleyball, with men’s and women’s teams regularly featuring in the world top 10.
“The annual Swatch FIVB World Tour competition is played across five continents and held in cities such as Shanghai, Paris, Marseille, Berlin, Acapulco and Montreal.
“We expect up to 100 teams to take part and we will be encouraging them to arrive earlier and train at the SA Sports Institute (SASI) facility, extending their length of stay in the State.
“The six-day event will be held at Glenelg beach in mid to late February next year and seating for about 3000 people will be constructed.
“The event will replicate the festival atmosphere generated by the 2000 Olympics, attracting many South Australians in addition to international and interstate visitors.
“Hosting this event will help to reinforce the State as being the national leader in beach volleyball and help to promote SASI’s facility as a world-class training destination.
“Already the SASI’s beach volleyball set-up is attracting teams from New Zealand, Germany, China and Estonia.
“We also hope that such an event will encourage participation at grass roots level and further enhance SA’s status as the leading State for junior volleyball in Australia.”

For more information please call Michele D’Aloia on 08 8463 4695 or 0417 837 896.

 

BRILLIANT BLEND OF RED IN THE HILLS

Autumn is one of the most spectacular times of the year to visit the Adelaide Hills, as the autumn leaves turn to display a brilliant blend of colours.
The Adelaide Hills Autumn Leaves Trail takes visitors to the Adelaide Hills towns of Mount Lofty, Stirling, Aldgate, Mylor and Hahndorf to see stunning displays of liquid amber, pinoak, oak, white cedar and Canadian maple trees during April and May.
Adelaide Hills Tourism Marketing Manager Kelly Loechel says the hills are painted in a brilliant blend of russet and amber and it’s a great time to head to the hills for a weekend break.
“Autumn is a great time to visit the hills as the fruits of the countryside are being harvested, cellar doors have some fantastic wines to sample, and the regional produce is exceptional,” says Ms Loechel.
“With a cooler climate, it’s an invigorating time of the year to experience the Adelaide Hills and the perfect time to bushwalk or explore the scenic parks, gardens, wildlife reserves and animal sanctuaries dotted throughout the hills.”
“Spend a relaxing morning at one of the country markets offering everything from fresh local produce, to local arts and crafts, bric-a-brac, plants and clothing.
The Adelaide Hills is widely regarded as exceptional wine country producing some of Australia’s best Sauvignon Blanc. Visit the cellar doors of Shaw & Smith, Nepenthe, Hahndorf Hill Winery, Longview and Petaluma’s to sample the region’s wines.
“For a truly indulgent experience settle in for the afternoon at one of the region’s award winning restaurants to marry Adelaide Hills wines with outstanding meals inspired by local produce,” says Ms Loechel.
“The Adelaide Hills offers visitors a great range of accommodation experiences from quaint country cottages to modern self-contained accommodation set among natural bushland.
For more great ideas and tips on what to see and do and where to stay in the Adelaide Hills this autumn, pick up a copy of the latest Adelaide Hills Visitors Guide or visit an accredited Visitor Information Centre.
A copy of the Adelaide Hills Autumn Leaves Trail is downloadable from the front page of www.visitadelaidehills.com.au or call the Adelaide Hills Visitor Information Centre on 1800 353 323.

For more information please call Kelly Loechel on 08 8391 1676 or 0401 120 266.





RECHARGE ON THE MURRAY RIVER

Boosting visitor numbers along the Murray River is a key feature of an ongoing advertising campaign implemented by regional tourism bodies, says Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith.
The Recharge on the Murray River campaign, now in its second year, will again see three South Australian tourism regions join forces with the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) to promote the Murray River in South Australia.
The State Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) and in conjunction with Murraylands Tourism Marketing, Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism and the Riverland Tourist Association, has committed $100,000 to funding the second phase of the Recharge on the Murray River campaign.
Minister Lomax-Smith says the second phase builds on the momentum of last year’s campaign which resulted in a 10 per cent increase in sales of Murray River product via the South Australian Visitor and Travel Centre.
The centerpiece of the campaign is the Recharge on the Murray River guide, which has been redeveloped to include even more experiences aimed at enticing South Australians to book a holiday on the Murray River.
“The perception that dry conditions might mean river levels were too low for houseboats and other holiday activities along the River which is just plain wrong,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.
“While there are concerns about low inflows to the Murray River because of widespread drought, there is still plenty of water to cruise the River and to enjoy a range of experiences highlighted in the Recharge on the Murray River guide.
“It is very encouraging that the three River tourism regions, along with local operators have joined forces to promote this brilliant tourism attraction. Operators have also contributed $14,000 to this campaign, ensuring a collaborative marketing approach, which is vital to extend the reach of any tourism promotion.”
Minister Lomax-Smith says South Australians should be encouraged to consider the River for their next holiday.
“The drought is obviously having a significant impact on the economies of our regional communities so regional tourism is a great way for all South Australians to show their support, and have a fabulous holiday at the same time,” she says.
For more information about the Recharge on the Murray River campaign or about other Murray River holidays visit www.southaustralia.com or call the SA Visitor and Travel Centre on 1300 655 215.

For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610 or 0434 473 900.




STAY ON THE LIMESTONE COAST AND PUT YOURSELF IN THE PICTURE

A new Limestone Coast Tourism campaign is encouraging more visitors to the region.
Working in collaboration with local tourism operators, Limestone Coast Tourism has developed the innovative new campaign - The Limestone Coast - Put Yourself In The Picture campaign – which will run between May and September in a bid to entice more visitors to the region.
Visitors who spend three or more nights with a participating accommodation provider will go into the draw to win one of six Plasma TV screens provided by Harvey Norman Mount Gambier.
During the promotion period, travellers will also be encouraged to submit their travel experiences to www.thelimestonecoast.com, where an Ipod will be awarded to the most creative entry.
Limestone Coast. Regional Marketing Manager, Mr Peter Abbott, says the promotion is aimed at increasing awareness of the Limestone Coast as a holiday destination.
“We have developed this fantastic incentive to travel to the Limestone Coast which is a great point of difference from other holiday destinations,” he says.
“The promotion has been developed to show off the Limestone Coast’s brilliant attractions and to highlight that our region is a holiday destination full of adventure and fun.”
Mr Abbott says the use of technology during the promotion ensures the Limestone Coast region is leading the way in terms of tourism marketing.
“The online environment is vital to the future of the tourism industry with a large percentage of internet users investigating travel opportunities via the web,” he says.
“In June 2006, Roy Morgan Research found that, among Australians aged 18 and over who were planning to take a trip in the next 12 months and had access to the internet, 39 per cent used the internet to research their holiday.
“Added to this is the fact that generation Y and X are extremely tech-savvy. We need to embrace technology to promote tourism and this campaign is aimed at people who love to travel, love adventure and who use the latest technology in everyday life.
“This promotion will not only highlight that South Australia is a fantastic place to visit, but that we are also leading the way in the use of technology to promote tourism. During this promotion, visitors can literally put themselves in the picture.”
Mr Abbott says The Limestone Coast has a fantastic range of experiences that are perfect at this time of the year.
“These include exploring the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Fossil Site; sipping your way though the Coonawarra Wine region; experiencing the Coorong and other coastal sites; fishing in Robe, Kingston or Port MacDonnell and seeing the good country of the Tatiara around Padthaway and Bordertown – just to name a few.”
For full details on the promotion please call 1800 087 087, drop into your nearest RAA outlet or the South Australian Visitor and Travel Centre, or visit www.thelimestonecoast.com.

For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610 or 0434 473 900.





BRILLIANT ISLAND BREAKS IN SA

One of the State’s most internationally recognised tourist destinations – Kangaroo Island – is the focus of a new tourism campaign aimed at encouraging South Australians to visit the Island.
The State Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), has joined forces with Tourism Kangaroo Island and SeaLink to increase visitor numbers to the region, with the launch of the Kangaroo Island Brilliant Breaks promotion.
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says research indicates Kangaroo Island was high on the list for South Australians who wanted to holiday in their own State.
“Research undertaken last year showed almost 30 per cent of South Australians who have a preference to holiday in their own State rank Kangaroo Island as their top destination. We want to convert this to actual visits to the Island,” she says.
“Kangaroo Island is extremely popular with tourists from all over the world and across Australia who ensure they include a trip to the Island on any South Australian holiday.
“The aim of this campaign is to encourage South Australians to do the same. Kangaroo Island is a first-class destination that offers amazing food and wine, some of the best wildlife experiences in Australia, fantastic beaches and world-class accommodation.”
Minister Lomax-Smith says Kangaroo Island Brilliant Breaks has been designed to encourage more South Australians to take a break, book a holiday and make the short journey to Kangaroo Island.
The campaign, which runs from May to September, includes a range of accommodation and ferry packages, along with a range of other offers to many of Kangaroo Island’s attractions.
“The State Government is committed to working with all 12 tourism regions to promote intrastate tourism. Recently we launched the Recharge on the Murray River campaign and earlier this year, the Brilliant Bargains campaign encouraged South Australians to get out and about in their own backyard,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.
“In addition, we have also recently launched the Brilliant Breaks booklet promoting South Australian short stays and longer holidays, which is another initiative aimed at showcasing some of the State’s best holiday ideas.”
To book a Kangaroo Island Brilliant Break call Sealink on 13 13 01 or your travel agent. More information can be found at www.sealink.com.au

For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610 or 0434 473 900.

Back to E-newsletter<< Contact the South Australian Tourism Commission.