South Australia hits new record with $10.2b tourist spend
Just as South Australia’s Santos Tour Down Under comes to a close, the state’s tourism industry has surpassed $10 billion in total visitor expenditure for the first time.
Latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows total visitor expenditure in South Australia for the year-ending September 2023 reached $10.2 billion, and that international expenditure has surpassed its pre-pandemic value to hit a record $1.22 billion.
Zoe Bettison, South Australia’s tourism minister, the record $10.2 billion in tourism spend is terrific news for the state, particularly as it’s the first time South Australia has cracked the 10-billion-dollar mark.
“That’s $10.2 billion injected straight into our economy and into the thousands of tourism businesses across our state who continue to provide world-class visitor experiences,” Bettison said.
“With an expected easing of the tourism economy nationally in the coming year, we are continuing to invest in demand drivers like major events and our push to grow key sectors like cruise.”
And that's how you start the WorldTour season 🔥 Six stages stretching 824.6kms across South Australia, a new King of Willunga Hill, a finish down to the wire and a new champion crowned 🏆
Until next time 🫡#TourDownUnder @santos pic.twitter.com/604Tl3QAKL
— Santos Tour Down Under 🚴🚴♀️ (@tourdownunder) January 22, 2024
The latest International and National Visitor Survey results (year-ending September 2023) show:
- Total visitor expenditure in South Australia reached $10.2 billion – a new all-time high for the state, up three per cent on the year-ending June 2023.
- International spend has grown to $1.22 billion, surpassing the previous record of $1.21 billion in December 2019 prior to the pandemic.
- Interstate spend has reached a high of $3.6 billion, up $69 million in the last quarter with intrastate spend steady at a high of $3.2 billion.
- Visitor spend in regional South Australia remains strong at $4.7 billion, driven by the intrastate market and re emerging international market.
- Visitor spend in Adelaide is at a record $5.6 billion, driven by strong growth from the international market.
The year kicked off with the Adelaide International at The Drive and the Santos Tour Down Under. The Adelaide International 2024 drew 51,117 attendees at The Drive, making it the highest attendance record for a single week event since 2020.
South Australia will continue to shine on the world stage for the rest of the year, hosting major events including:
- Laser 2024 Men’s World Championships (Olympic Qualifier) | 24-31 January
- Laser 2024 – Masters World Championships | 1-10 February
- UCI Tissot Track Nations Cup | 2-4 February
- Adelaide Fringe | 16 February – 17 March
- Adelaide Festival | 1-17 March
- WOMADelaide | 8-11 March
- AFL Gather Round | 4-7 April
- LIV Golf Adelaide | 26 -28 April
- 2024 Australian Athletics Championships | 6-14 April
- Adelaide Equestrian Festival | 18-21 April
- Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championships | 2-5 May
- Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel | 3-12 May
- Adelaide Cabaret Festival | 9-24 June
- Illuminate Adelaide | 1-31 July
- 2024 Suncorp Super Netball Grand Final | 3 August
- Dale Chihuly Exhibition | 27 September 2024 – 29 April 2025
- Harvest Rock | October
- Top Fuel Drag Championships | October
- PGA Webex Players Series | October
- National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant | November
- Feast Festival | November
- VAILO Adelaide 500 | 14-17 November
Anna Moeller, CEO Australian Hotels Association SA, said this reinforces that tourism and hospitality has the potential to be a significant engine room for jobs and investment in South Australia going forward.
“These results are reflective of the continuing recovery of the industry post the devastation of COVID.”
(Featured Image: Tourist at Kangaroo Island, South Australia – iStock/moisseyev)
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Anna Moeller Santos Tour Down Under south australia tourism research australia tourism spend Zoe BettisonLatest News
Novotel Cabramatta launch reveals the start of new hotel and F&B partnership
Brothers will offer hotels bang for their buck in Sydney's booming southwest.
Roots & Heritage Tourism in 2024 with Italian Tourist Board’s Emanuele Attanasio: Travel Weekly TV
Don't blame us if you're yearning for a carb filled pasta lunch after watching this weeks episode!
Aeronology accepted into Virtuoso network as travel-tech company continues to thrive
Aeronology has announced a wide-reaching technology and services provider agreement with Virtuoso, the global network specialising in luxury and experiential travel. The Melbourne-based company provides travel agents with a modern “full service” point-of-sale travel booking platform and was named one of the Hot Top 25 Travel Start-Up’s 2023 by Phocuswire. Virtuoso advisers will have access […]
Qantas suspends flights to Shanghai due to low demand
Low demand prompts Qantas to drop its Sydney-Shanghai flights like a hot dumpling.
From Castle Hill to Paris, local wellness cosmetics brand makes good in world’s best hotels
Subtle Energies, a little-known Sydney wellness cosmetics brand with its home base in Castle Hill, is now on the shelves of iconic shopping centre, Le Bon Marché, in Paris. The home-grown, locally-made Australian brand, which offers a range of products in aromatherapy, skincare and wellness, was started more than three decades ago, in 1993, by […]
Ponant’s $2500 flight credit reward for polar expeditions booked by ANZ travellers
Ponant is launching an exclusive offer for Australian and New Zealand travellers, offering flight credits of up to $2500pp across 24 luxury polar expeditions in 2025/26. Aussies and Kiwis will benefit from Ponant’s flight credit offer, when used towards international airfare (conditions apply) when booking their polar expedition and flights. The offer is valid until […]
Portugal, Spain or Morocco? Here’s how to spend a European summer in 2024
Run with the bulls, eat a Portuguese tart or take in the raw beauty of North Africa. We've got it all in this feature!
Vietjet’s summer lucky draw event, plus business flights slashed in half
It's not even winter yet and Vietjet's already talking about summer, but who can blame them?
ERDI offers a path for hospitality leaders of the future, says hotel group CEO
Teaching the next gen in hospo how to serve drinks, take a restaurant order and hold a conversation - yep we're in!
Marketing costs double for tourism operators as Australia’s global footprint shrinks
Cost of living crisis? Forgeddaboutit! If you run a tourism business, your costs have doubled since Covid.
APT adds fourth ship to Travelmarvel fleet in Europe to meet demand
APT punches above its weight in European river cruising - let's see what its got when it comes to naming conventions.
Getting married? W Melbourne has three new packages perfect for the special day
The 'W' themed lights and settings are optional, we hope!
SKYE Suites gets behind Australian Fashion Week, partners with Shark Beauty
We were hoping to get a start at a fashion week event, but apparently our dress sense wasn't up to scratch...
Roadshow Vietnam focus on Ho Chi Minh City heads to Sydney and Melbourne
It's all happening tomorrow in Parramatta and we're sure you'll be able to find a good bahn mi somewhere.
NCL announces two new Aussie BDMs as cruising goes from strength to strength
Cruising may be getting stronger, but we want to know which new BDM is the strongest. We should arrange an arm wrestle.
Inspiring Vacations announces Josh Grocke to new partnerships role
We're sure the best partnerships come about over a long lunch, something Josh will certainly be looking forward to.
Dondra Ritzenthaler announced as Azamara’s new CEO
Dondra's got big news to celebrate, meanwhile we're celebrating a break in the rain today in Sydney.
TTC’s hosting a masterclass series for Aussie agents unlocking the secrets of its five brands
Become an agent of many hats with TTC's new masterclass series!
Dorsett Melbourne appoints new director of sales Maggie Wong
This top female team at the Dorsett Melbourne aims to take the hotel to new heights - even the lucky eighth floor.
Western Sydney Tourism unveils fresh board ahead of ’26 airport opening
'Connect-Stay-Experience', that's the Western Sydney's tourism taskforce's motto. We sort of prefer 'West Is Best'!
From Olympians to mindset coaches, Helloworld’s OMC conference wraps in style
Say hello to a good time and make sure you're at 2025's edition!
Bunnik Tours welcomes KJ Phillips as the new BDM for QLD
We apologise in advance for winding Karen up as our State of Origin sledging begins to ramp up.
Drifter to usher in new age of affordable hybrid accommodation in Christchurch
Sort of like a hostel, but far, far ritzier!
Icebergs restaurateur Terzini joins Mangan at Sydney International Airport
Forget McDonald's or the sushi that's been there all day, dining at Sydney Airport just got a whole let better!
Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge: A beacon of luxury in the Kruger
If the lead image wasn't enough to convince you this is next-level luxury, take a peep inside.
Delegates ready for Africa’s travel showcase Travel Indaba at Durban ICC
How's it? We've requested a bag full of biltong on our reporter's return from this shindig.
APT’s world-first hydraulic-powered restaurant and bar ‘will be the envy of river cruises’
It may have been laughed off at first mention in the APT offices, but now it's here, APT are on top of the game!
Administrators appointed in wake of Air Vanuatu collapse – but there is hope
Another one bites the dust. We hope you sang to the tune when reading that!
South Australian beach crowned best ‘hidden gem’ in the country
Stoked baby! Or was that a typo?
Avalon Airport champions low-cost rail connection from Melbourne CBD
Avalon rail connection? Bring it on! In two years, say officials, but we say they've got Buckley's.
2024 Green Revolution Summit brings travel heavyweights into green fuel discussion
It's almost like the organisers read our article on sustainable fuel this week.
Wendy Wu Tours first China mega-famil for 100 travel agents will be full of Wow!
China travel guru Wendy Wu should have no trouble ordering 100 dumplings for key travel agents on her mega famil.
Oaks Hotels & Resorts gets behind Netball’s Suncorp Super League
So Netball Australia draws its moral line somewhere between Gina Rinehart and Oaks Hotels & Resorts.
Tourism Australia appoints new regional general manager United Kingdom
Expat Aussie Andrew Boxall steps off a Flight Centre gig to plant the flag as UK Tourism Australia GM.
Chef Alessandro Pavoni unveils Cibaria at Manly Pacific MGallery Collection
Only problem is you'll get stuck on the Spit Bridge on the way back, after you finish your meal.
Hotel Review: Atlantis The Royal – Stunning in every sense
You can look but you can't touch. At least that's what it feels like when reading an article on this masterpiece.