Tourism News
HOLIDAY AT HOME FOR
BARGAIN WINTER PRICES
South Australians will be urged to explore their own backyard this
winter as a range of bargain holidays go on sale through a major
Shorts Winter Sale campaign, launched in May.
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the campaign complements the
biggest single winter interstate marketing push on record, now
underway in the eastern States of Australia.
“Now is the time to get a great deal on a holiday in South Australia,”
Dr Lomax-Smith says.
“Why not take the chance to explore a wine region, go four-wheel-driving
in the Flinders Ranges, discover the natural beauty of Kangaroo
Island or visit Whyalla to snorkel among giant cuttlefish.
“In total, we are investing $2.7m to promote winter holidays in South
Australia and support the ongoing South Australian Shorts holidays
campaign.
“This investment is part of the Rann Government’s push to make tourism
in South Australia a $6.3 billion industry by 2014.
“Tourism already pumps $4.2 billion into our State’s economy and
provides a lifeline for many of our State’s regional economies,
particularly those suffering the effects of drought.
“Holidaying in regional South Australia is a great way to boost the
economy of these local communities while having a great time.
“With this campaign, we want to get the message across that there’s
absolutely no need for South Australians to go over the border or
overseas to enjoy a world-class holiday this winter.
“Winter is traditionally a quieter period for our tourism industry, but
this year we are urging South Australians to take a break and
support tourism operators at the same time.
“South Australia’s mild climate means winter is actually one of the best
times to explore many of our popular tourist regions.
“South Australians who book a selected holiday from the popular South
Australian Shorts book will receive an extra night’s accommodation
free, plus brilliant bonuses such as discounts on tours.
“There are accommodation deals to choose from in every region of the
State for South Australians who want to holiday ‘at home’ during
this campaign.
The Shorts Winter Sale campaign kicked off with a 32-page insert in the
Sunday Mail and will incorporate an advertising blitz as well as a
direct mail-out to more than 60,000 South Australians.
The 2008/2009 South Australian Shorts book, which was launched in March,
is the definitive guide to holidaying in South Australia.
The book offers more than 340 great holiday deals on accommodation,
houseboats, tours, cruises and hire vehicles.
Holidays with bonus accommodation nights can be booked from 12 May to 31
August as part of the Shorts Winter Sale campaign.
For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.
NEW FLINDERS DEVELOPMENTS TO ATTRACT
MORE TOURISTS
Tourism in the Flinders Ranges and Outback is riding high, as Tourism
Minister Jane-Lomax-Smith launched two developments in the region
in May.
Minister Lomax-Smith says the $1 million upgrade of the Wadlata Outback
Centre at Port Augusta and the unveiling of new mountain bike
trails at Melrose will boost visitor numbers to the region even
further.
“The latest statistics show visitor numbers to the Flinders Ranges and
Outback are up 9%, and the region is one of the State’s most
popular tourist destinations, attracting more interstate and
international visitors than any other SA region except Adelaide,”
Dr Lomax-Smith says.
“The State Government wants visitor numbers to the region to continue to
climb and has provided financial support for these two important
tourism developments.
“The Wadlata Outback Centre is already one of the 10 most visited
attractions in South Australia, attracting 100,000 visitors each
year.
“The centre’s completed $1 million upgrade will make this “gateway to
the Outback” even more important as Port Augusta’s premier tourism
drawcard.
“Visitors to the Outback need to know where to go and what to do before
they set out, and Wadlata provides this information through an
innovative discovery centre and visitor information centre and, in
addition, offers a brilliant café, gift shop and Aboriginal art
exhibition.
“The whole Wadlata package is intended to encourage visitors to stay
longer in the Outback, pumping more tourist dollars into its
regional economies, by providing visitors with the information
they need to enjoy its many stellar attractions and destinations.
“Meanwhile, the new bike trails at Melrose are part of an ongoing
project, jointly-funded by the State Government, to build the
southern Flinders Ranges’ reputation as Australia’s off-road
cycling mecca.”
Dr Lomax-Smith says the popularity of cycling and cycle tourism is
rapidly increasing in countries all over the world, and in
Australia, more bikes are sold each year than cars.
“The Mawson Trail around Melrose is already very popular with mountain
bike riders and these three new trails will add to the area’s
appeal as a haven for cycling tourists,” she says.
The Rann Government has invested $500,000 in the Wadlata Outback Centre
upgrade, in partnership with the City of Port Augusta, and the
Government has contributed $50,000 to a fund dedicated to building
cycling tourism in the southern Flinders Ranges, including the
creation of the new Melrose bike trails.
The Southern Flinders Regional Development Board, Southern Flinders
Ranges Tourism Authority, the District Councils of Mount
Remarkable and Northern Areas Council have also contributed to
this cycle tourism fund.
For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.
SUPPORT THE AIRLINES THAT SUPPORT SA
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith is again calling on South Australians
to support the airlines that support South Australia by offering
direct international flights into Adelaide.
Dr Lomax-Smith’s call comes as Air New Zealand celebrates the second
anniversary of direct flights between Adelaide and Auckland in New
Zealand.
“Air New Zealand is the only airline to fly direct out of Adelaide to
Auckland – a key gateway to destinations in North and South
America and Canada,” Dr Lomax-Smith says.
“We don’t only want to see packed planes touching down in Adelaide, but
we need to ensure they are full out of Adelaide to keep the routes
viable and operating.
“We need to use the airlines that fly direct into our State or risk
losing these routes. You can also slash hours from your travelling
time by eliminating the need for lengthy transfers in the eastern
States.
“Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Qantas
and Air New Zealand currently offer direct international flights
into Adelaide.
“Singapore Airlines added three extra weekly flights within the space of
six months to become the first airline to offer daily
international services to Adelaide.
“Air New Zealand currently flies between Auckland and Adelaide five
times a week and is aiming to increase that number back to seven
later this year, based on aircraft availability.
“New Zealand is the number one international market for tourism into
Australia and the direct flights allow South Australia to more
easily tap into this market.
“We have marketed the State heavily in New Zealand to capitalise on the
direct flights and we’ve had a 21% increase in visitors in 12
months, rising to almost 40,000 in 2007.
“Since 2004, New Zealand visitor numbers to South Australia have risen
in total by 37% and New Zealand has jumped from our fourth largest
international market to our second largest, after the UK.
“These impressive increases show how much demand there is in New Zealand
for South Australian holidays.
“We certainly have a lot to offer New Zealand tourists. We are the place
to go for affordable, gourmet food and dining, accessible nature
and easy access to the Outback.
“The Murray River is one of our star attractions for New Zealand
holidaymakers and, despite the drought, there’s still plenty of
water for houseboat holidays and watersports.”
For more information please call Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.
BE A CLOWN – JUST FOR ONE DAY
The Credit Union Christmas Pageant is a time honoured South Australian
tradition and for the first time in the event’s history a number of
positions are being extended for sale to the corporate sector.
In 2008, the Credit Union Christmas Pageant has created 50 limited clown
positions (22 of which have already been snapped up - only 28
positions left!) to be secured for the experience of a lifetime.
Corporate South Australia, (and of course any interested individuals)
are being invited to be a part of the fun and spirit of the 2008
Credit Union Christmas Pageant.
The opportunity can be for you or for a colleague, use it as a staff
reward or gift it to a special client or customer.
Andrew McEvoy, Chief Executive, South Australian Tourism Commission was
a clown in the Pageant for the first time last year in front of
the 365,000 people who lined the streets of Adelaide.
“It was fantastic and I can thoroughly recommend it. This is a wonderful
opportunity to be one of the stars of the Credit Union Christmas
Pageant and to be totally anonymous,” says Andrew McEvoy.
Each corporate clown position is $1000 per clown (plus GST). Part
proceeds of each Clown position goes to Channel 9 Telethon
charities.
Attendance at Clown School is compulsory as part of this package and
will earn the lucky person a Clown School Diploma.
Be in the company of the following organisations who have supported the
cause:
ABB Grain
Internode
Ahrens Group
McMahon Services
Badge Constructions
Nova Defence
Guidera O'Connor
Penrice Soda
Haighs
SANFL
Hills Industries
Tagara Builders
Hostworks
The 2008 Credit Union Christmas Pageant is on 8 November 2008. To
register your interest in a Corporate Clown position or for
further details please contact the Credit Union Christmas Pageant
office on 8244 6277.
For more information please call Michele D’Aloia on 08 8463 4695.
NEW WEBSITE SHOWCASES MURRAY RIVER
HOLIDAY DEALS
Scores of South Australian Murray River short holiday specials are now
just a click away with the launch of the Recharge on the Murray
River website and camera competition.
Visitors to the site will not only be able to pick up a great deal on a
Murray River holiday, but will also have the chance to go into the
draw to win an Olympus Miu 1030SW digital camera, valued at more
than $500.
Caroline Phillips, Murraylands Tourism Marketing Manager says the launch
of the website is another way the three Murray River tourism
regions are joining forces to promote themselves to a wider
audience.
“To reach potential visitors, the internet is proving our most cost
effective marketing tool and another way in which can get the
message out to more people that the Murray River is definitely
open for business,” Ms Phillips says.
“The weather is perfect right now to explore this part of the State, and
holidaying along the Murray River is a great opportunity for
everyone to support the regional economies along the river that
rely on tourism dollars.
“Houseboating is a feature in this latest phase of the Recharge on the
Murray River campaign, now in it’s third year, with a variety of
holiday options showcased on the website.
“At it’s closest point, the Murray River is just one hour’s drive from
Adelaide, and from there you can get on a houseboat and start your
holiday.”
Emily White, Riverland Tourism Association Marketing Manager says winter
is still a fantastic time for a houseboat holiday.
“Sunny days and cool nights provide the right conditions to undertake
water activities during the day, and finish off with a campfire on
the bank in the evening,” Ms White says.
“South Australia’s system of locks and weirs maintain a consistent level
of water throughout the South Australian section of the Murray
River, providing suitable water levels for houseboating and water
sports at all times of the year.
“We expect many visitors to take advantage of off peak rates and get
their friends together for a cruising holiday along one of the
many scenic stretches of the Murray River.”
Roz Becker, Marketing Manager, Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism says the Lower
Lakes district is well worth a visit.
“While it is true that water levels have dropped in the Murray’s Lower
Lakes and waterways near the Murray Mouth, levels in the main
channel at Goolwa are still suitable for canoeing, sailing and
fishing,” Ms Becker says.
“With wineries and the beach so close, is the Fleurieu Peninsula section
of the Murray River the perfect spot to enjoy a whole host of
experiences, including a variety of local events and a range of
accommodation on offer.
“And now visitors to the Murray River tourism regions can choose and
book from a selection of great value deals from the convenience of
their computer, plus they have the opportunity to win a fantastic
prize by filling in the competition form and registering to
receive our Recharge e-newsletter.”
In addition to the launch of the website, the latest phase of the
Recharge on the Murray River campaign promotion will encourage
Adelaide residents to consider a Murray River holiday with outdoor
advertising in prominent locations in popular metropolitan
shopping centres.
Residents in selected suburbs in Adelaide will also be sent a special
postcard from Murray River operators inviting them to take a short
break, relax and recharge on the Murray River.
The centerpiece of the campaign is the Recharge on the Murray River
Guide, which is available for download from the new website,
www.recharge.southaustralia.com.
Holiday deals are valid until 31 July.
For more information please call Caroline Phillips, Murraylands
Tourism Marketing on 0419 856 936, Roz Becker, Fleurieu Peninsula
Tourism on 0407 335 543 or Emily White, Riverland Tourism
Association on 0418 802 943.
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