Tourism News

SYDNEYSIDERS INVITED TO ESCAPE TO SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Rann Government has embarked on a cheeky new tourism campaign to entice Sydneysiders to ‘get out of here’ and visit South Australia during APEC Australia 2007.

From 2 to 9 September, Sydney will host leaders and ministers from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies for a series of meetings. A public holiday has been declared in Sydney on Friday 7 September.

Sydney residents will be invited to escape the roadblocks, traffic restrictions and delays of this year’s APEC Australia 2007 event – and discover some of South Australia’s iconic holiday experiences.

Captured through radio and online elements, South Australia’s tourism experiences including four-wheel drive, wine and nature will be promoted from today (29 August).

A number of Sydney radio stations, including Triple M, 2Day FM and Nova 96.9, will give 30-second live reads encouraging listeners to visit a dedicated website: www.getoutofhere.com and work out how to escape Sydney during APEC Australia 2007.

Here they will be reminded about the annoyance of traffic restrictions caused by APEC, and will be given a taste of all the great experiences to which they can escape.

The dedicated site will have a link to www.southaustralia.com, where they can plan and book their escape immediately. They can view weekend escape ideas, accommodation suggestions, prices – and even follow the link to Virgin Blue for flight bookings.

On 3 September, banner ads will be displayed on the Sydney Morning Herald’s website, encouraging consumers to click through to the dedicated ‘Get out of Here’ website.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the campaign is “a bit cheeky”, but disgruntled Sydney residents represent a real market for South Australia’s tourism industry.

"Campaigns like this are an important part of the State Government’s commitment to increasing visitor spending from $3.4 billion in 2001 to $6.3 billion in 2014 – a key target in South Australia’s Strategic Plan.”

Minister Lomax-Smith says the promotion will also utilise the latest technology, with a focus on the use of the Internet.

"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,” she says.

"This promotion has been developed to show off the State’s brilliant attractions to Sydneysiders and to highlight that South Australia is a fabulous holiday destination at any time of the year.”

For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.

 

GLOBAL CYCLYING PARTNER JOINS TOUR DOWN UNDER

The Tour Down Under welcomes ŠKODA AUTO, subsidiary of one of the most established automotive companies in the world, Volkswagen AG, to the peloton in 2008, after confirming major sponsorship of the event for the next three years.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says Škoda’s sponsorship of the Tour Down Under will put the event in brilliant company.

Škoda is a big supporter of cycling in Europe, currently sponsoring nine ProTour teams, major events such as the Tour de France and is the official car of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).

"The major sponsorship brings direct investment, a strong marketing leverage program and international relationships,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

Head of Škoda Australia, Matthew Wiesner joined Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith for the announcement last month, at which a Skoda Roomster was unveiled. Oppy the Kangaroo, fresh from this year’s Tour de France promotion, was on hand for the delivery.

Mr Wiesner says Škoda’s love affair with cycling began in 1895 with the production of bicycles. “Whilst over time we made the transition to cars (since 1905), the romance of cycling has remained strong and continued.

“We are looking forward to being part of the Tour Down Under. Our association should help strengthen the event’s standing internationally and in turn showcase our cars to an Australian audience,” Mr Wiesner says.

“The Tour Down Under has enjoyed a strong relationship with the Tour de France over the last three years and we are looking to build on this relationship through our partnership with Škoda,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

This announcement comes just before UCI’s decision about the Tour Down Under’s bid to become part of the ProTour calendar. The UCI ProTour Council will make its decision in September this year.

The partnership with Škoda demonstrates the strength of the Tour Down Under brand and event standing in its own right. This is the first of several new partnership announcements over the coming months.

Škoda Australia as a division of Volkswagen Group Australia Pty Ltd, is launching the Škoda brand into Australia in October 2007 at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney. Skoda has built a reputation in Europe for quality and innovation, which will now be on show to Australia.

The Tour Down Under, Australia’s premier international cycling event, is set to celebrate 10 brilliant years from 20 – 27 January 2008.

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

INTERNATIONAL RUGBY SEVENS ADELAIDE SUCCESS

South Australia has reaped the benefits of the International Rugby Sevens World Series, held in Adelaide for the first time this year.

Official figures show the event drew attendances of 25,222 over two days, including 3552 people who travelled from interstate or overseas. The event generated $2.5m in direct visitor expenditure.

Adelaide has secured the rights to host a leg of the series for five years. The International Rugby Board last month said this year’s series was the most successful in the history of the event.

Premier Mike Rann says the International Rugby Sevens event is the ideal addition to the State’s calendar.

"Rugby is a truly international sport with a passionate audience in 130 countries. The broadcast of Sevens reaches 150 million homes through 29 international broadcasters,” Mr Rann said.

"The event is among a series of major event wins for South Australia in recent times.

"The State Government recently announced that South Australia 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 14 to 16.

"Later this year we will host our first annual two-week Adelaide International Guitar Festival and we have supported the Fringe to become an annual event.

"In October, thousands of people will come to South Australia for the Australasian Masters Games.

"South Australia’s brilliant blend of festivals, events and attractions is helping us to draw growing numbers of international tourists to South Australia.

"We expect that the International Rugby Sevens Adelaide will continue to grow in popularity, attracting even more visitors to enjoy the event’s festival atmosphere.”

John O’Neill, Australian Rugby Union Chief Executive, was delighted with the response to Adelaide’s inaugural event.

"To see that 9 in 10 people who attended this year were so impressed that they plan to return in 2008 is a real credit to Adelaide and the organisers of the Sevens,” Mr O’Neill says.

“The fact almost 70 percent of those who attended were South Australians shows how well the locals embraced the event, which carried a real festive atmosphere.”

Rob Nelson, Tournament Director and Chief Executive of SA Rugby, was equally excited: “We’re rapt with the response from the Adelaide public and particularly number of visitors who came from interstate and overseas.

"We believe our goals were achieved in presenting a highly entertaining international sports event which both rugby fans and those new to the game could enjoy.

"No doubt our first year was always going to be the toughest, the challenge made even greater given we were at the back end of an amazing period of events in Adelaide plus we had Easter to deal with.

"The event is secured until at least 2011 and given the response to the first event we are quite optimistic about the future.”

Rugby Sevens’ brand of fast-paced action, world class players and global locations is attractive to sports fans worldwide.

Last season’s IRB Sevens World Series attracted crowds in excess of 250,000.

The 2008 International Rugby Sevens Adelaide will be held at Adelaide Oval, 5-6 April 2008.

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


 

ECOTOURISM CONFERENCE WIN FOR SA

South Australia has won the right to host the 2008 National Ecotourism Conference, in a major boost for the State’s nature-based tourism industry.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says about 400 conference delegates will experience South Australia’s ecotourism experiences during the conference in November 2008.

"South Australia is already a leader in the field of ecologically sustainable tourism development, with around 15% of the nation’s Eco Certified tourism operators based here,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.

"Our 76 Eco Certified tourism experiences range from swimming with dolphins and cave diving to wine tasting and camel safaris through the Outback.

"In addition, more than 20% of South Australia is set aside as reserves for conservation – a greater percentage than any other mainland State.

"More than one million ‘nature-based’ tourists each year experience South Australia’s brilliant blend of bush, outback, coast and river, as well as the amazing animals and birds that live there.

“Ecotourism is an industry with huge potential for growth, as increasing numbers of domestic and international travellers choose ‘green’ holiday experiences.

“Ecotourism destinations now attract about 15% of the global tourist market and that number is climbing fast.”

Dr Lomax-Smith says the Rann Government is committed to supporting sustainable tourism development in this State, as well as marketing our credentials as a “green” holiday destination.

"We believe South Australia offers visitors easily accessible, world-class ecotourism experiences and there is a great opportunity for us to be a leader in this area in the future.

"One example is Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, which is due to open in March, 2008. This development will demonstrate sustainable tourism accommodation at its best.

"The Baillie Lodges development, located at Hanson Bay, will provide incredible luxury for its guests while demonstrating how tourism can benefit conservation.

"Not only have the lodge’s developers ensured their environmental impact has been minimal right from the start of the project, but they have announced the creation of a 10-year fund to support environmental projects on Kangaroo Island, in partnership with the State Government.

"Ecotourism is all about the industry and government working together to achieve positive outcomes for the environment, while offering an amazing experience for visitors."

The 2008 National Ecotourism Conference will be hosted by Ecotourism Australia, the peak national body for the ecotourism industry.

This not-for-profit organisation aims to grow and promote ecotourism and to assist tourism operators to become environmentally sustainable, economically viable and socially and culturally responsible.

For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.


 

PLANNING FOR FLEURIEU PENINSULA'S TOURISM FUTURE

A strategy to ensure the future growth of the Fleurieu Peninsula’s multi-million dollar tourism industry has been unveiled.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the Fleurieu Peninsula Region Integrated Strategic Tourism Plan 2007-2012 sets out the strategies and initiatives needed to generate 2.5% annual growth in tourism yield for the region, increasing its income by $23.3m and generating 450 extra jobs by 2011.

"Tourism is already an important economic driver for the Fleurieu Peninsula region, contributing $276m annually to its economy," Dr Lomax-Smith says.

"Close to 20% of all overnight visits in regional South Australia include a stay on the Fleurieu Peninsula and the region accounts for 15% of all visitor nights in regional SA. This gives the region’s industry an excellent base on which to build its future growth.

"The tourism plan focuses on strengthening and marketing the region’s brilliant blend of tourism attractions, with an emphasis on all levels of Government and industry members working together towards common goals.

"Local councils, regional industry bodies and tourism industry leaders have played a vital role in the successful development of this new tourism plan for the Fleurieu Peninsula.

"Today’s launch of the Fleurieu Peninsula Region Integrated Strategic Tourism Plan 2007-2012 is another way in which the State Government is supporting the region’s tourism industry.

"In July, we committed funding, through the South Australian Tourism Commission’s Tourism Development Fund, to assist the upgrade of both the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Visitor Centre and the Coast to Vines Rail Trail.

"Also in July, seven Fleurieu Peninsula events and festivals received State Government sponsorship via the SATC’s Regional Events & Festivals funding. These included iconic regional events such as the SA Wooden Boat & Music Festival, the Fleurieu Peninsula Biennale, the Fleurieu Peninsula Folk Festival and the Compass Cup – Australia’s Only Cow Race.

“As part of its commitment to our State’s regional tourism, the State Government is working to create overarching strategic plans for tourism growth in all 12 of our tourism regions. The Fleurieu Peninsula is the fifth South Australian region to adopt such a plan.”

The Fleurieu Peninsula Region Integrated Strategic Tourism Plan, 2007 – 2012 was developed by the South Australian Tourism Commission in partnership with the Alexandrina Council, District Council of Yankalilla and the Cities of Victor Harbor and Onkaparinga, with input from industry stakeholders, and was prepared by Urban & Regional Planning Solutions. For a copy visit www.tourism.sa.gov.au

For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.

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