Full News Article

[Current News] [Search Archive]

International Visitors Boost SA Economy

10th March 2010

International visitors spent $659 million in South Australia last year – an increase of 23 per cent compared to 2008.

Steve Kernaghan, of the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), said that the figures released today by Tourism Research Australia show South Australia’s appeal as a world-class tourism destination continuing to climb, and weathering the turmoil of the current global economic climate better than most other states.

"While international visitor expenditure soared last year in South Australia, the national average was only three per cent growth," Mr Kernaghan said.

"Around 360,600 international visitors spent 7.2 million nights in our State last year – an increase of 5.6 per cent on 2008 figures."

Mr Kernaghan said that, while the bulk of South Australia’s tourism revenue came from the domestic market, the SATC recognised the importance of wooing high-yield international travellers to our State.

"We have positioned our State internationally as a boutique destination appealing to discerning, well-seasoned travellers," he said.

"The SATC’s international offices right around the world are investing in strategic partnerships with travel wholesalers, retail agencies and airline partners to spread the word about the brilliant blend of authentic, sophisticated experiences on offer for international visitors in South Australia.

"These latest statistics clearly show that our international marketing approach, coupled with our focus on increasing international air access into our State, is paying dividends for our tourism industry."

More than 30 direct international flights now land in Adelaide each week - up from 13 in 2003.

Mr Kernaghan said the increase in flights demonstrated the growing stature of our State as an important international holiday destination in the eyes of the world’s travel industry and major airlines.

"The SATC is also committed to raising the State’s international profile and enticing visitors to holiday in South Australia through our management and support for an ever-growing line-up of world-class major events," he said.

"For instance, the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under alone drew almost 40,000 international and interstate visitors to our State, injecting $41.5 million into the State’s economy.

"We will have a fantastic opportunity to further build our international profile in May, when the Australian Tourism Exchange is held in Adelaide for only the second time in the event’s history, bringing more than 700 travel experts from 40 countries to experience our State’s best tourism attractions first-hand.

"Our aggressive domestic marketing push has already proved a success, bringing in $8 in interstate visitor expenditure for every dollar we have spent on the campaign, and now we are seeing our investment in international marketing paying off, bringing us ever-closer to our ultimate goal of making tourism a $6.3 billion industry for our State by 2014."

Media contact:
Public Relations Unit,
telephone +61 8 8463 4500
or email satc.pr.publications@saugov.sa.gov.au