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Frontline Regional Tourism Boost
Monday 23 January 2012
Regional South Australian tourism is set to benefit from a three-year State Government initiative
designed to increase tourism expenditure by tapping into the potential of accredited Visitor Information Centres (VICs).
The Minister for Regional Development and Tourism, Gail Gago, says there are 45 accredited VICs across the state and all play a key role.
“While the trend towards tourists researching and booking holidays online continues, these same
tourists also value personal recommendations once they’re in their destination,” the Minister said.
“That’s where the local knowledge, guidance and friendly welcome provided by VIC staff and volunteers can make all the difference.
“VICs are the frontline of a region’s tourism industry.
“They are constantly providing information on local attractions, accommodation and much more to
tourists, encouraging them to stay longer and experience more.
“The South Australian Tourism Commission’s (SATC) goal through the Sell SA Pilot Project is to provide VIC staff and volunteers with the tools they need to convert as many tourists’ enquiries as
possible into sales, pumping more dollars into our regional economies.”
Ms Gago said a new, dedicated team has been established within SATC to work with and support all 45 accredited VICs across the state.
The first stage of this project will run over the next 12 months, involving eight centres.
These have been identified as standing to benefit greatly from the assistance provided, as they show a great enthusiasm to reach their potential.
“This first stage will involve SATC working with each VIC to jointly create an individual development plan, identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and providing a roadmap for addressing
these to create future growth,” Ms Gago said.
“The participating centre’s staff and volunteers will receive training in areas such as computer skills, customer service and visual merchandising.
“They will also be supported on trips to neighbouring regions so they can become familiar with more of the state and suggest attractions further afield to visitors.”
Ms Gago said SATC aims to roll out the same assistance and training to most of the state’s accredited VICs over the pilot program’s three-year duration and to ensure 80 percent of the centres have online booking facilities.
“The success of the program will be measured by improved economic impact from the VICs
involved in the program and factors such as increased visitor numbers to the centres,” she said.
“If successful, the project will continue and will eventually involve all VICs.
“In the meantime, SATC staff will continue to support all accredited VICs in their day-to-day needs.”
This includes establishing an e-newsletter to share information among the centres, creating a VIC
and Industry Skills Advisory group and the roll-out of a new data collection system to ensure accurate visitation figures for VICs statewide.
The eight visitor information centres involved in the first stage of the Sell SA pilot project are:
• Lady Nelson Visitor & Discovery Centre (Mount Gambier)
• Goolwa Visitor Information Centre
• Victor Harbor Visitor Information Centre
• Kangaroo Island Gateway Visitor Information Centre (Penneshaw)
• Barossa Visitor Information Centre (Tanunda)
• Clare Valley Visitor Information Centre (Clare)
• Flinders Ranges Visitor Information Centre (Quorn)
• Renmark Visitor Information Centre
Media contact:
Public Relations Unit,
telephone +61 8 8463 4500
or email
satc.pr.publications@saugov.sa.gov.au
SA Stories Archive
The Word Around Archive
Huge Crowds Celebrate Santos Tour Down Under
Monday 23 January 2012
The 2012 Santos Tour Down Under was a phenomenal success with crowds of more than 750,000 people lining the streets of Adelaide and regional South Australia to see the world’s best cyclists in action.
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Adelaide wins bid to host 2016 Australian Deaf Games
Sunday 22 January 2012
The pinnacle of Australia’s sporting events for deaf athletes, the Australian Deaf Games (ADG), will
be held in Adelaide in 2016, attracting hundreds of competitors from across the country and the
Oceania region.
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Lobethal Crowned as Santos Best Dressed Town
Sunday 22 January 2012
The Adelaide Hills town of Lobethal has been crowned the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under Best Dressed Town.
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Williamstown Wins Santos Best Dressed Town
Friday 20 January 2012
Riders in today’s Santos Tour Down Under Bupa Stage Four were greeted by a brilliantly decorated Williamstown, the winning town in the fourth day of the Santos Best Dressed Town competition.
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Eddy Merckx rides in Bupa Challenge Tour tomorrow
Thursday 19 January 2012
Five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx will join more than 7000 cycling fans in the Bupa Challenge Tour tomorrow.
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Victor Harbor Victorious as Santos Best Dressed Town
Thursday 19 January 2012
Riders in today’s Santos Tour Down Under Stage Three were greeted by a sea of blue and orange in Victor Harbor, the winning town in the third day of the Santos Best Dressed Town competition.
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Pink Penwortham Awarded Santos Best Dressed Town
Tuesday 17 January 2012
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Prospect and Clare Come Alive For First Day of Tour
16 January 2012
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Your Guide to All the Santos Tour Down Under Action
16 January 2012
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Greipel Sprint Train Delivers Victory
15 January 2012
German sprint star Andre Greipel has sailed to victory in the Down Under Classic to kick off a week of world class cycling , in front of 112,000 fans in Adelaide's East End.
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Expanded Tour Village Opens to the Public
15 January 2012
The Adelaide City Council Tour Village, known as the hub of the Santos Tour Down Under, was officially opened for 2012 in Victoria Square today.
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Santos Tour Down Under Lights up Adelaide
15 January 2012
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Thousands of Riders Prepare for Bupa Challenge Tour
14 January 2012
A huge crowd of more than 7000 cycling enthusiasts will participate in the 10th Bupa Challenge Tour next Friday.
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11 January 2012
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GreenEDGE Media Call
10 January 2012
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Hello Movistar and Radioshack-Nissan: Both Teams Arrive Tomorrow
10 January 2012
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Liquigas-Cannondale, Astana Pro Team and Rabobank Riders Arrive
9 January 2012
Liquigas-Cannondale, Astana Pro Team and remaining Rabobank riders will arrive in Adelaide tomorrow to begin their preparations for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.
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Welcome Down Under Team Saxo Bank, Vancansoleil-DCM, BMC Racing Team and Katusha Team
8 January 2012
Four international teams will converge on Adelaide tomorrow, all touching down to prepare for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.
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Three More Teams to Touch Down Tomorrow: Sky Pro Cycling, Ag2r La Mondiale, Euskatel Euskadi
7 January 2012
South Australia is set to welcome yet another three European cycling forces tomorrow as the British Sky Pro Cycling team, French Ag2r La Mondiale and Spanish Euskaltel-Euskadi teams touchdown.
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Andre Greipel's Lotto-Belisol Team and the Omega Pharma Quick-Step Arrive Tomorrow
6 January 2012
2010 champion and two-time Santos Tour Down Under winner Andre Greipel will return to Adelaide tomorrow with the Lotto-Belisol team.
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Councils Busy Preparing for Santos Festival of Cycling
6 January 2012
Councils and communities across Adelaide and regional South Australia are busy preparing for the Santos Tour Down Under, as the count-down begins to the 2012 event.
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First Two Teams Arrive Tomorrow - Garmin-Cervelo and Lampre-ISD
5 January 2012
With only 10 days until the Down Under Classic and start of the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under, the international cycling juggernaut has begun to descend on South Australia, with the first international teams arriving tomorrow.
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Last Chance for Bupa Challenge Tour Entry
5 January 2012
The streets of Adelaide have been taken over by a sea of lycra with thousands of cycling fans preparing for the upcoming Bupa Challenge Tour.
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KI Lodge Internationally Recognised as World's Top Hideaway
4 January 2012
Acting Minister for Tourism Russell Wortley today welcomed the naming of Kangaroo Island’s
iconic Southern Ocean Lodge as “Hideaway of the Year” in the 2012 Grand Awards issue of
Andrew Harper’s Hideaway Report.
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Tour de France Director to Attend Santos Tour Down Under
4 January 2012
Tour de France Director Christian Prudhomme will be a special guest at the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.
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Team Arrivals: The Schedule
3 January 2012
The eyes of the world will be again watching Adelaide this month, with only three days until the first two international cycling teams arrive in preparation for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.
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Movistar's All Spanish Outfit Return with Valverde
3 January 2012
The Santos Tour Down Under will see the return of Alejandro Valverde for his second appearance at the race in January 2012 as he leads the all Spanish Movistar team.
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First Four International Cyclists Arrive
2 January 2012
Omega Pharma Quick-Step’s German rider, Gerald Ciolek will be the first international rider to arrive in Adelaide tomorrow, Tuesday 3 January 2012, ahead of rider preparations for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under.
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Team Saxo Bank and Garmin-Cervelo Teams Confirmed
30 December 2011
The Santos Tour Down Under today confirmed the rider rosters for Team Saxo Bank and Garmin-Cervelo at the 2012 event next month.
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One Week to go to Enter Bupa Challenge Tour
30 December 2011
Cycling fans have one week remaining to enter the Bupa Challenge Tour and ride with the world’s best cyclist, Eddy Merckx.
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UniSA Australia Team Ready to Race in 2012
29 December 2011
The UniSA-Australia team for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under features some of the young guns of Australian road cycling.
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Construction Starts on Expanded Tour Village
28 December 2011
The Santos Tour Down Under is almost here – with construction starting today on an expanded Adelaide City Council Tour Village for 2012.
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Ag2r La Mondiale Return to Chase a Top 10 Finish
28 December 2011
Ag2r La Mondiale will return to race in Australia in January, with its 2012 Santos Tour Down Under riding roster named today.
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Diary Dates: 2012 Tasting Australia
21 December 2011
See what is on the menu at Tasting Australia… and put it in your diary now!
Tasting Australia is not only the country’s premier food and wine event; it is the most significant festival of its kind in the Asia Pacific region. The very best in food, wine, beer, the culinary arts, hospitality, travel and lifestyle will be showcased in Adelaide and throughout South Australia’s diverse regions across eight days and nights of events and activities.
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GreenEDGE announce all-Australian squad for 2012 Santos Tour Down Under
21 December 2011
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Gerald Ciolek to Lead Omega Pharma Quick-Step Team in January
20 December 2011
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Euskaltel Euskadi Team Line Up Confirmed
19 December 2011
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Adelaide to Host Australia's First Comic-Con
19 December 2011
Adelaide has been chosen to host the Down Under debut of Oz Comic-Con in 2012.
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Government Supports SA Tourism Development
16 December 2011
Four South Australian tourism developments, worth a total of $2.4 million, will go ahead with the help of State Government grants.
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Equipe Cycliste FDJ- BIG MAT send top team Down Under
16 December 2011
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SA Tourism Growth Leads the Nation
14 December 2011
South Australian tourism has massively outstripped the nation, with a 7.4 percent rise in domestic
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SA Tourism Tops the Class
17 December 2009
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Andre Griepel Returns with the Lotto Belisol Sprint Train
13 December 2011
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Fast Wheels for Lampre-ISD Down under
9 December 2011
Italian team, Lampre-ISD has selected the fastest riders on their roster to take to the start line of the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under with the aim of a sprint start to the season.
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RadioShack-Nissan-Trek Team Announced
9 December 2011
Team RadioShack-Nissan-Trek today announced its seven man squad for the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under, hot off the back of the UCI’s confirmation this week that the team has been awarded a UCI WorldTour licence.
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Katnook Redevelopment Officially Opened
8 December 2011
Tourism and Regional Development Minister Gail Gago has officially launched Katnook Estate’s
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7 December 2009
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International Tourism Expediture Rises in South Australia Despite Global Uncertainty
7 December 2011
South Australian tourism operators are weathering the storm caused by the global economic
downturn, with expenditure by international tourists visiting South Australia rising over the past 12
months.
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Vacansoleil-DCM Plans to Shine Down Under in 2012
6 December 2011
Dutch team Vacansoleil-DCM is ready to perform at next year’s Santos Tour Down Under, with confirmation of their rider roster for the event announced today.
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Take a Joy Ride Over the Santos Tour Down Under
2 December 2011
Spectators at the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under can experience a birds-eye-view of the peloton as it makes its way through some of the State’s most picturesque regions.
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BMC Racing Team Full Rider Line-Up Confirmed
23 November 2011
The BMC Racing Team will be led by Alessandro Ballan, 2008 UCI World Road Champion, at the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under next January, with the seven man roster being announced today.
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Choose Your Own Holiday Adventure in SA
23 November 2011
South Australians can now choose their own holiday adventure using a fun new interactive application launched today on the southaustralia.com website.
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Loxton Community Hotel set for Major Upgrade
22 November 2011
The Loxton Community Hotel has received a significant funding boost from the State Government to undertake a $1.73 million redevelopment.
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Sky Pro Cycling Team Returns Down Under
18 November 2011
Sky Pro Cycling will return to the 2012 Santos Tour Down Under for the third time, with a highly experienced and competitive team.
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Channel 9- The New Home of the Santos Tour Down Under
11 November 2011
The Santos Tour Down Under has a new home in television, with the Nine Network securing the rights to the event for the next three years.
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Top Australian Chef Lineup Announced for Adelaide’s 2012 Tasting Australia
9 November 2011
Some of the biggest names in the Australian food industry will converge on Adelaide and regional South Australia for next year’s Tasting Australia, the country’s premier culinary festival.
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2005 Champion and Previous Stage Winners Lead Rabobank Contingent
8 November 2011
Dutch ProTour cycling team Rabobank will compete in the Santos Tour Down Under in January 2012 with an impressive team line up, led by 2005 Santos Tour Down Under winner Luis Leon Sanchez and multiple event stage winners.
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New Tourism Mobile Site a Smart Way to Explore SA
7 November 2011
A new mobile site that acts as an “expert guide” to South Australia means travellers can instantly find and connect with nearby tourism operators.
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South Australia Part of Daybreak Down Under
7 November 2011
South Australia has been included on the itinerary of a media event that’s brought one of the United Kingdom’s most popular morning television programs and 100 people to Australia this week, Tourism Minister Gail Gago has announced.
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New Look 2012 Bupa Challenge Tour Jersey Unveiled
3 November 2011
The Bupa Challenge Tour will celebrate its 10th year next January and the new look jersey unveiled today will have riders seeing red.
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It's Time to Find the Magic in Your Own Backyard
21 October 2011
South Australia – „the best backyard in the world’ – is the star of a new tourism campaign urging South Australians to get out and experience the magic of their own State.
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Santos Tour Down Under Named Event of the Year
7 October 2011
The 2011 Santos Tour Down Under took out the most prestigious award at last night’s Australian Event Awards in Sydney, being named the 2011 Australian Event of the Year.
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Cruise Ship Athena's Return to SA Worth $3 Million
15 August 2010
In an ongoing vote of confidence for South Australia as a leading cruise ship destination, Classic
International Cruises has announced that its flagship, the MV Athena, will again use Adelaide as its home port during the 2011-12 cruise season.
Tourism Minister John Rau has welcomed the 600-passenger cruise ship’s return to South Australian waters, with a 2011-12 itinerary that is expected to boost the State’s economy by $3 million.
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ATE 2010 Helps Build International Recognition for South Australia
31 May 2010
South Australia's tourism industry will seek to build on the success of the past year, including a 23% increase in international visitor expenditure, according to South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) Chief Executive Ian Darbyshire.
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First Direct Flight from China arrives in Adelaide
16 February 2010
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he flight arrival has been welcomed by Adelaide Airport (AAL), the Department of Trade and Economic Development and the South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC), who are working together to increase flight and passenger numbers into Adelaide from key domestic and international destinations.
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200 Cellar Doors star in new SA Tourism Marketing push
14 February 2010
South Australia’s famed wine industry is the focus of a new tourism marketing push that firmly positions Adelaide and South Australia as the nation’s wine tourism capital.
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says the South Australian Tourism Commission’s new Cellar Door campaign is aimed firmly at high-yield, wine-loving east coast visitors.
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