Business leaders hopeful a takeover bid of Santos won’t affect the company’s sponsorship of the Tour Down Under post 2028

A $30 billion takeover bid for Santos by an Abu Dhabi consortium has left business leaders in Adelaide asking whether Santos’ involvement in the Tour is done Down Under.

Australian Hotels Association SA branch boss Anna Moeller urged the new consortium to back the Tour Down Under. Picture: Morgan Sette

Business leaders remain hopeful the Santos-backed Tour Down Under will remain unaffected by a landmark $30 billion takeover bid from an Abu Dhabi group.

Oil and gas giant Santos confirmed on Monday it received an offer from a consortium led by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned oil company Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).

ADNOC subsidiary XRG promised that should the deal close it would maintain Santos’ headquarters in Adelaide and continue to support local employment and the communities where Santos operates.

Australian Hotels Association SA branch boss Anna Moeller urged the new consortium to back the event if Santos opted to drop its naming rights at the conclusion of the 2028 event.

“It is one of the most unique events that we have, as it attracts local, interstate and global visitors,” Ms Moeller said.

“It’s not in one spot as well, it travels around to the regions, so it’s an amazing opportunity to actually showcase the regions and tourism.

“It goes beyond people just coming and staying in hotels, once you get a body in a bed they have to get up and go eat somewhere, drink somewhere and spend money in our stores.”

An SA Tourism Commission spokesman said Tour Down Under organisers were in “regular dialogue” with Santos and would have more information at the “appropriate time”.

Around 765,000 people attended the Tour Down Under last year, while millions of people tuned in around the world.

Originally published as Business leaders hopeful a takeover bid of Santos won’t affect the company’s sponsorship of the Tour Down Under post 2028