SA tourism: visitors expenditure reaches record $4 billion

FAMILY and friends visiting South Australia are splashing a record amount of cash and choosing day trips to the state’s iconic regions over the city, new tourism data shows.

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FAMILY and friends visiting South Australians are splashing a record amount of cash and choosing day trips to the state’s iconic regions, new tourism data shows.

SA’s national visitor expenditure reached a record $4 billion, up four per cent for the year ending June 2018.

The Fleurieu Peninsula was the top regional destination of choice, followed by the Adelaide Hills and Murray, Lakes and Coorong. National Visitor Survey figures released today reveal the biggest growth was on the Yorke Peninsula and Limestone Coast, with more than 150,000 additional visitors making day trips to each.

SA Tourism Minister David Ridgway said tourism in regional SA was booming.

“Our outback landscapes and other assets are attracting 62 per cent of all domestic visits – that’s huge,” Mr Ridgway said.

South Australia’s outback landscapes, such as Wilpena Pound, are attracting domestic tourists.

Overnight visitation to and within SA increased five per cent to a record 6.5 million – with the number of people visiting friends and relatives up more than 12 per cent while spending a third more than in 2017 on day trips.

“South Australians are choosing to holiday at home, keeping important tourism dollars in the state, while an increase in interstate visitors is attracting new money for local businesses,” Mr Ridgway said.

Key interstate markets included Queensland, up 13 per cent, Victoria, and NSW.

Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham said 1 in 13 Australians were employed in the tourism industry and that the strong results would create more jobs. He said more tourists were also turning to nature for their holidays.

“Whether it be exploring the beaches of the Fleurieu Peninsula, driving out to the outback past Port Augusta or hitting up the Heysen Trail – there is no shortage of unique experiences and adventures to be had in SA,” he said.

Josh West on the Heysen trail, which spans from the southern Fleurieu Peninsula to the Flinders Ranges.

SA Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said with the Christmas break approaching, South Australians should explore their own backyard.

“We’ve got something wonderful to be discovered everywhere you look,” he said. “Feedback from our tourism operators has been extremely upbeat, which suggests we can expect a positive outlook.”

Originally published as SA tourism: visitors expenditure reaches record $4 billion