Tourism News

SA TO CELEBRATE 10 BRILLIANT YEARS OF THE TOUR DOWN UNDER

Next year’s Tour Down Under will be a special 10th anniversary event with new race routes and racing across two weekends, Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has announced.

“It’s our tenth tour and it will be bigger and better than ever,” the Minister said.

The event, running between January 20 and 27, will return to Glenelg for the first time in six years, with the Teams Presentation, the finish of the Mutual Community Fun Tour and Mini Tour for kids presented by UniSA all being held at the Bay.

The Minister returned last month from a successful visit to London for the start of the Tour de France where she raised the international profile of the Tour Down Under.

The visit was in anticipation of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) meeting in September, where the outcome of the push for the Tour Down Under to achieve Pro Tour status will be determined.

“Our aim was to reinforce Adelaide as the cycling capital of Australia and a natural cycling location for a Pro Tour event outside of Europe,” Minister Lomax-Smith said.

“Thousands of people have already seen Oppy the Kangaroo promoting our event and our state at this year’s Tour de France and now we have unveiled a new television campaign aimed at enticing more and more visitors to experience our brilliant Tour,” said the Minister.

“This month’s announcement of race tours and event details give even greater opportunities for the public to become involved in and support the Tour Down Under.

“Cycling fans will have more chances to cheer on the world’s best cyclists at next year’s Tour Down Under as the event is expanded to include two weekends of elite cycling action with a program of festivities, which includes an extra day of racing action.

“The first day of the Tour Down Under (Sunday 20th January) at Glenelg will be a great family day with the Down Under Classic, and in an event first, the Team Presentation will be FREE to the public.

“The Breakaway Series, with the Mutual Community Challenge Tour, Mutual Community Fun Tour and the UniSA Mini Tour for Kids, offers something for everyone to be enticed to start pedalling now.

“I urge everyone to celebrate a decade of premier international cycling in Australia, and be part of cycling’s brilliant party next January,” the Minister said.

For 2008 Tour Down Under race routes and information, visit www.tourdownunder.com.au.

For more information please call Michele D’Aloia on 08 8463 4695.



MORE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS BOUND FOR ADELAIDE

Premier Mike Rann last month welcomed Cathay Pacific’s announcement that it was introducing daily flights between Hong Kong and Adelaide.

“This underlines the confidence of international carriers in South Australia as a premier tourist, business and education destination,” Mr Rann said.

Cathay Pacific, which increased its Hong Kong to Adelaide flights from two to four in June 2006, will now step up to seven per week, bringing to 27 the total number of weekly international services to South Australia – up from 13 in 2003.

“The additional flights mean a further 40,000 international seats per year into Adelaide.

“The State Government has been working closely with international airlines over the past few years to entice additional flights to Adelaide, and that work is paying off.

“The other airline we are keen to talk further with regarding its plans for Adelaide is Qantas - the only major international carrier to yet make the decision to go daily in this State.”

Mr Rann says Cathay Pacific’s announcement comes just days after Adelaide Airport’s decision to expand its new terminal, in response to increased passenger numbers and extra demand for flights into South Australia.

“International passenger movements at Adelaide Airport have increased by 26 per cent in the 12 months to May 2007, the highest increase among Australia’s major airports,” Mr Rann said.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the dramatic lift in international flights to Adelaide is fantastic news for the State’s tourism industry.

“Cathay Pacific is the third major international carrier to announce daily flights into our State in recent months, following Singapore Airlines’ Singapore-Adelaide flights and Air New Zealand’s decision to increase its direct Auckland-Adelaide flights from three to seven per week by February 2008,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

“Daily international flights are not only great for tourism, but also a bonus for the State’s business and convention sectors.

“The latest visitor figures show just how popular our State has become with overseas holidaymakers. A record 367,000 international visitors came to South Australia during the year to March 2007 – an eight per cent increase compared to a year ago.

“As international flights into Adelaide increase, it will become even easier for overseas visitors to include a trip to South Australia in their holiday plans, and international visitor numbers will continue to grow.

Minister Lomax-Smith says the State Government has invested in major international tourism marketing campaigns, and world-class events that are a proven drawcard for overseas visitors.

“Following a hugely successful summer events season, we have the Australasian Masters Games coming up in October, followed by the inaugural Adelaide International Guitar Festival in November.

“Later in the year, South Australia will also host a showcase of food, wine, beer and gastronomic discussion at Tasting Australia and the Panasonic World Solar Challenge.”

Cathay Pacific will begin daily Hong-Kong to Adelaide flights from October 2007.

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


ADELAIDE AIRPORT EXPANSION PLANS ANNOUNCED

Adelaide Airport Ltd has announced plans to expand its state-of-the-art new terminal, known as T1, to cater for an anticipated rapid expansion in air traffic into South Australia’s capital city.

Less than two years after the completion of the $260 million T1, Adelaide Airport Ltd (AAL) said it was looking to add two extra gates and at least one extra glass aerobridge to provide more room for domestic and international jets.

The former international terminal building will also be demolished to make way for more parking bays for regional airlines, which in turn will reduce walking distances between aircraft and the arrivals and departures area of the terminal.

Managing Director, Phil Baker, said AAL had brought forward its expansion plans due to a combination of increased passenger numbers, more airlines seeking to include Adelaide as a destination, existing airlines adding flights and anticipated demand generated by the State’s mining boom.

“Adelaide Airport has experienced record growth in passenger numbers, and future growth is expected to be just as strong,” Mr Baker said.

“The growth has been across the board from international, domestic and regional air traffic, and this expansion will allow us to provide for all of these services.

“While we presently have the flexibility and capacity to welcome extra services largely as a result of our unique common-user design, we want to ensure we are not constrained in the future, particularly if passenger growth continues at the current rate.”

Mr Baker said other potential developments at Adelaide Airport include expansion of aircraft hangars and freight facilities, a hotel and expanded car parking.

The 75,000 square metre T1 terminal currently caters for more than five million passengers a year.

For more information please call Mark Williams on 08 8412 4102 or 0401 147 558.


NEW WORLD TENNIS EVENT SECURED FOR ADELAIDE

The State Government has announced Memorial Drive will host a new international tennis tournament from 2009, featuring top current, past and junior players.

The World Tennis Challenge Adelaide will kick off the week before the 2009 Australian Open and run from January 15-17.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith and Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Michael Wright joined Australian tennis great Darren Cahill and world-renowned coach Roger Rasheed at last month’s launch at Memorial Drive.

Four countries will play each other once over three nights during the tournament. Each contest will see the current day players face off in a three set singles match. The past players will do the same before a doubles match between the two pairs (current and past player).

One junior player from each country will act as a reserve and will compete in a “rising star” round robin competition.

Minister Lomax-Smith says Tennis SA is looking to secure some of the best tennis talent in the world.

“At this stage we’re hoping to have Australia, the USA, Sweden and Russia competing in Adelaide. That potentially means players like Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Cash, Marit Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Jim Courier, Jochim Johannson and Mats Wilander competing at Memorial Drive.

“The World Tennis Challenge Adelaide is aiming to attract 5,000 interstate and international visitors over the three nights of competition, generating up to $6 million for the economy in the first year.

“This new and exciting tennis format will see Adelaide remain on the international tennis calendar,” Dr Lomax-Smith said.

Sports Minister Michael Wright today also announced the construction of four new plexi-cushion courts at Memorial Drive.

“This is the same surface that will be used at the Australian Open and will facilitate the new National High Performance Academy based in Adelaide,” Mr Wright said.

“Let’s hope the Academy can produce Australian stars that will take part in future World Tennis Challenges here in Adelaide,” said Mr Wright.

Former Wimbledon Champion and Davis Cup hero Pat Cash says he is looking forward to taking part in the Challenge.

“This is a great idea for a tennis event and I can't wait to be a part of the World Tennis Challenge in 2009. Stepping on court with and against some of the game’s best players of today will be a big challenge for the former legends.”

For more information please call Michele D’Aloia on 08 8463 4695.

FUNDING FOR INNOVATIVE SA TOURISM PROJECTS

Four innovative South Australian tourism projects have each received $100,000 of Australian Government funding.

Tourism Minister Fran Bailey announced the funding under the fourth round of the Australian Government’s Australian Tourism Development Program, which supports innovative and regional tourism projects.

Fran Bailey said the projects would enhance tourism experiences and help to attract more big-spending domestic and international visitors to the regions.

"Every additional tourism dollar we attract to our regions creates more jobs for Australians," Minister Bailey said.

The Adelaide Biplanes Hangar Café received funding to assist with the construction of a new Hangar Café facility, which will incorporate a flying school, cafe, shop and booking office.

Adelaide Biplanes provides a high-end, niche, aviation tourism experience at Aldinga Airfield.

The Murraylands’ Monarto Zoo’s funding will be used to build a Lions and African Wild Dog Viewing Platform.

Monarto Zoo is the largest zoo in Australia, with more than 1000 hectares of land.

The Lions and African Wild Dog Viewing Platform will offer all day viewing of the Lion pride and African Wild Dog pack, and the opportunity to view animal feeds during keeper talks.

Dudley Wines Cellar Door & Café Development was awarded the funding to develop an iconic cellar door and restaurant facility in Penneshaw, the gateway to Kangaroo Island.

The Dudley Wines range will be showcased alongside the finest regional produce in a facility which will include tasting and retail areas, a 70 seat cafe, function space, private tasting and dining room and gallery.

The site for this development will be Surbiton At the Cove - an historic homestead overlooking the picturesque township and Backstairs Passage.

Dudley Wines has also received funding from the State Government, through the South Australian Tourism Commission, towards the cost of the project.

Streaky Bay Council will use the Australian Government funding to establish Cape Bauer Loop as a tourist drive, and develop the Whistling Rocks and the Blowholes attractions.

Cape Bauer Loop is a two wheel drive all weather access dirt road situated on the Gibson Peninsular west of Blancheport which extends 30km around the peninsula.

The development project will provide 450m of raised access pathway, three viewing platforms, revegetation and interpretive, educational and directional signage.

For more information please call Kevin Lowe on 02 6277 7450.

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