Tourism News

SA BOASTS AUSTRALIA'S BEST EVENT & LUXURY ACCOMMODATION

South Australia’s 2007 Clipsal 500 Adelaide was named Australia’s best major festival & event and the Barossa’s The Louise was named Australia’s best luxury accommodation at the 2007 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in Canberra in February.

The Clipsal 500 Adelaide, still celebrating record-breaking crowds at the 2008 event, triumphed over other top name events from around the country, including Queensland’s Australian PGA Championship, the 2006 Melbourne Cup Carnival and last year’s winner - the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

The Louise also beat tough competition from Western Australia’s Cable Beach Club Resort, Sheraton on the Park Sydney, The Westin Melbourne and Peppers Spicers Peak Lodge in Queensland.

South Australia also received two commendations from the national judging panel, with the Jacobs’ Creek Visitor Centre from the Barossa commended for its entry in the Tourism Wineries category and Adventure Tours Australia Group for its entry in the Major Tour &/or Transport Operators category.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the Australian Tourism Awards recognise and promote excellence in the tourism industry.

“To be a finalist at the national level, entrants must first win a State tourism award in the same category, so our local entrants were up against some strong competition from around Australia,” she says.

“This is a great result for the State and our winners should be very proud of their achievements. These wins will not only raise South Australia’s profile in the Australian tourism industry but it also rewards each business’ reputation for providing a quality tourism experience.”

The South Australian Tourism Commission’s former Chief Executive, Bill Spurr, was also acknowledged among his peers for his outstanding contribution to tourism in South Australia.

2007 Clipsal 500 Adelaide- National Winner Major Festivals & Events
The Clipsal 500 Adelaide is a four-day event, combining Australia’s largest motor sport festival with a diverse range of quality entertainment to create a carnival atmosphere across the city. The event is a round of the V8 Supercar Championship Series and is held on Adelaide’s world-renowned 3.2km city street circuit. The 2007 race set a new national motor sport attendance record of 276,900 attendees, who reveled in the action-packed racing and entertainment program.
Contact: Andrew Daniels on 0412 843 830 or visit www.clipsal500.com.au

The Louise – National Winner Luxury Accommodation
The Louise is a luxury vineyard retreat that consistently exceeds the expectations of the sophisticated traveler. The retreat offers 15 luxuriously appointed suites, each ideally situated to provide guests with complete privacy and stunning views over the vineyards of the Barossa. Each suite has a soft contemporary look with inspired design and artworks, plus spacious ensuites, king-size beds, quality fittings and fixtures, ambient lighting and a private rear terrace.
Contact: Jim Carreker on 0425 267 127 or visit www.thelouise.com.au

Adventure Tours Australia Group (Major Tour &/or Transport Operators) – commendation
Contact: Ken Hart on 0407 223 333 or visit www.adventuretours.com.au

Jacob’s Creek Visitor Centre (Tourism Wineries) – commendation
Contact: Elaine Ratcliffe on 0429 453 957 or visit www.jacobscreek.com

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


SA ATTRACTS MORE INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS

A surge in visitors from Asia, New Zealand and the US has boosted the number of international tourists holidaying in South Australia, latest statistics have revealed.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the latest International Visitor Survey shows international holiday visitor nights were up 14% in 2007, compared to the previous 12-month period.

“The challenge now is to build on that 14% rise in holiday-purpose visitor nights and the South Australian Government is aware that something special is needed from our international tourism marketing campaigns in order to grab audiences’ attention in an increasingly competitive market,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

“We will continue spreading the word about South Australia’s brilliant blend of holiday attractions via innovative, targeted tourism marketing, and by working with the industry to develop superior tourism product.

“Our work to encourage world-class tourism development is also paying off, with major developments such as the $15 million Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island opening soon and the $45 million Port Lincoln Hotel having just opened.

“Another critical factor for the continued success of South Australian tourism is to keep lobbying hard to bring new and improved air access to South Australia.

“Already we have made huge gains in this area, with 28 international flights now arriving at Adelaide Airport each week – up from 13 in 2003.

“Encouraging more international flights from the current carriers to SA, as well as enticing new airlines to fly here, is a critical factor in improving international visitor numbers.

“For South Australia’s tourism industry, the focus when we look at these latest International Visitor Survey results is on tourist numbers, which are still strong.

“We do, however, need to remember there has been a fluctuation in the December quarter figures, that incorporate other types of visitors, such as overseas students and business travellers. The fluctuation can be put down to the transient nature of education and employment-purpose visitor numbers during the Christmas and New Year period.

“This tends to mean big increases followed by big decreases because of the grouping of nights by these long staying visitors in the quarter they leave.

“Overall the international figures in terms of holidays are pleasing and the State Government will continue to work with the tourism industry to ensure these continue to improve.”

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

YOUR GUIDE TO A MURRAYLANDS HOLIDAY
A new edition of the definitive guide to holidaying in the Murraylands has been launched, highlighting the attractions on offer along the Murray River – where water levels are just right for houseboating, cruising and water sports.

Murraylands tourism operators joined forces to take over Rundle Mall in February to launch the 2008 Visitor Guide and showcase the region as a brilliant holiday destination.

Adelaide residents were invited to come along, pick up a guide and talk to some of the operators to get a feel for the huge range of tourism experiences on offer in the Murraylands.

Radio station Mix 102.3 broadcastied live from 9am to 1pm, and Murraylands Tourism Marketing Manager Caroline Phillips says the event was an excellent way to get the message out that the Murray is still the place to go for a river holiday.

“We’re really battling a public perception that the river is dry, and that’s just not the case in South Australia,” Ms Phillips says.

“There is plenty of water in our section of the Murray River for houseboating and cruising, and that’s the message that we really want to get out to the travelling public.

“The Murray is one world’s great rivers, and an iconic South Australian holiday destination.

“The weather is perfect right now to explore this part of the State, and holidaying in the Murraylands is a great opportunity for South Australians to support the regional economies along the river that rely on tourism dollars.

“The Murraylands is also a diverse region. Away from the River, its Mallee region offers conservation parks and a host of historic attractions to explore.

“The 2008 Murraylands Visitor Guide’s new features include a three-day Murraylands family trail adventure, and a guide to the region’s great pubs.

“The guide also includes maps, an events calendar, features on ‘must see, must do’ attractions right around the Murraylands region, plus all the information you need to plan your Murraylands holiday, such as details of accommodation options, houseboats, cruises, and descriptions of the region’s towns and national parks.

“The guide, which is an initiative of Murraylands Tourism Marketing, has had great support from operators this year, with an 11% increase in advertising.”

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

PROMINENT SOUTH AUSSIES TO LEAD PUSH FOR MORE CONVENTIONS

Prominent South Australians are being recruited to spearhead South Australia’s push to win more international conferences as part of a new Conventions Adelaide campaign.

University academics and industry leaders with links to convention opportunities were encouraged to support the campaign at a function on 13 March.

Tourism Minister and Conventions Adelaide supporter Jane Lomax-Smith says the State has grown into a world-class destination for business events, however there is room for further growth.

“We’ve recently experienced boom times for conventions, thanks to the work of the Adelaide Convention Tourism Authority, together with industry partners,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.

“In 2006-07, ACTA won the right to host 44 conferences in Adelaide, including 12 international conference wins, with a combined economic impact of $95.5 million.

“Adelaide has been ranked 3rd in Australasia and 56th globally in regards to attracting successful bids and in 2006 held more international conferences than Frankfurt, Los Angeles and New York.

“With the assistance of active key industry leaders, we hope to have even more influence in being chosen a future conference destination by international conference committees.

“The business events sector is extremely high yielding, with international conference delegates spending up to 5.6 times more per day than the leisure visitor, and nearly 1.5 times as much per trip.

“The industry is worth some $1.5 billion to South Australia annually.

“Business events also attract high profile speakers and industry leaders, providing an unmatched opportunity for South Australia to showcase our capabilities to the world.

“They offer a chance to exchange ideas, forge strong business networks and research links, and enhance the State’s profile overseas.

“Adelaide has a great deal to offer as a conference host city – from a brilliant line-up of major events to popular tourist destinations.

“This new Conventions Adelaide campaign is set to harness Adelaide’s potential to bring even more international conferences to our State.

“Prominent South Australians will become ‘champions’ to help us to secure more international conference bid opportunities and to be the face of our bidding process,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.

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


DOMESTIC TOURISM ON THE RISE IN SA

South Australia is defying the national trend with an increase in interstate visitors in the 12 months to December 2007, latest statistics reveal.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the latest National Visitor Survey shows overnight visitors pumped $2.8 billion into South Australia’s economy last year – up 8% on 2006 figures.

“The number of interstate visitors coming to our State was up 4% in 2007, compared to a 2% drop nationally,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

“In more good news, it wasn’t just Adelaide that shared in the spoils as visitors to South Australia spent up big last year. Domestic overnight visitor expenditure in regional areas was up 13%.

“We expect the growth in visitor numbers to continue, as interstate travellers flock to South Australia for our brilliant summer events period.

“Adelaide is really buzzing right now, and we already have some excellent figures from the first major events of 2008. This year’s Tour Down Under – the first UCI ProTour event ever staged outside of Europe – has been a record breaker for South Australia.

“Preliminary economic impact and research figures show that the 2008 Tour Down Under injected $17.3 million into the State’s economy through the direct expenditure of the 15,100 event specific visitors who travelled from interstate and overseas to witness the event.

“Meanwhile, the Clipsal 500 Adelaide had record attendances of 291,400 across the four days of the event – including visitors from interstate or overseas.

“WOMADelaide 2008, the Adelaide Bank Festival of Arts and Adelaide Fringe have all been great successes this year, , while we still have the International Rugby Sevens to look forward to.

“Obviously there are still challenges ahead with domestic tourism, however, these latest figures are encouraging. The State Government, through the SATC, will continue marketing South Australia’s great tourism attractions through innovative, targeted campaigns, while we work with the industry to develop superior tourism product.

“Regional tourism development is critical for convincing visitors to extend and expand their South Australian holidays, and we are kicking goals in this area too.

“The $15 million Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island and the $45 million Port Lincoln Hotel have recently opened. These are areas we see as vital in continuing to grow our tourism industry to achieve its targets.”

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

 

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