Tourism News

We take a look at what’s happening in the South Australian tourism industry.


More international flight for Adelaide
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith has welcomed news that Singapore Airlines will increase its number of direct weekly flights to Adelaide from five to seven, starting on 27 March.

Minister Lomax-Smith says the move makes Singapore Airlines the first international carrier to offer daily flights to Adelaide. The extra flights will generate an extra 33,600 international seats into the State capital each year. The announcement comes just two months after the carrier boosted its flights into Adelaide from four to five per week.

“In 2003, Singapore Airlines flew into Adelaide three times a week – now that figure has more than doubled,” she says. “This dramatic increase in flights signals the international airline company’s confidence in the future of the State’s tourism industry. Increasing air access to Adelaide from its low point at the last election has been a major focus of this government. The industry told us that air access was one of their highest priorities and we have set about solving that issue.”

“Flights in and out of Adelaide have already risen sharply across the board in recent years, with seats on international flights growing more than 40% since Labor came to government. Last financial year (2004-05), a record 5.31 million passengers passed through Adelaide Airport. The increase in international flights is set to continue this year. Air New Zealand will begin its direct flights, three times a week, between Adelaide and Auckland in March. Those flights will connect with the airline’s existing routes between Auckland and the United States cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco.”

“There’s also been great news on the domestic front. The State Government has successfully negotiated to have two Jetstar Airbus A320 aircraft and 87 full time aircrew including pilots, cabin crew and airports staff relocated into Adelaide as their permanent base.”

Jetstar began four additional new air services to Adelaide – two new daily services between Sydney and Brisbane on 1 February and will begin two twice-weekly services to Hamilton Island and the Sunshine Coast, beginning 26 March.

“This is an exciting time for South Australia’s tourism industry. Not only do we now have more international flights than ever before coming into Adelaide, but we have a world-class line-up of events happening here to greet them,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

For more information contact Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.

G’Day LA from South Australia
South Australia’s brilliant blend of festivals, sporting events, food and wine, art and culture, spectacular scenery and a creative and innovative business climate have been showcased to the United States in a week celebrating all that is ‘Aussie’. Australia Week, also known as G’Day LA, highlighted Australian arts, lifestyle, film, tourism and business in Los Angeles from 14 to 22 January.

“South Australia is an ideal place to visit, live and work and G’Day LA helps us to deliver this message to an American audience keen to find out more about Australia and South Australia,” says Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith. “The timing of the event has been perfect to capitalise on Air New Zealand’s new direct flights from Auckland to Adelaide, which start in March and will connect with the airline’s existing routes between Auckland and Los Angeles.

“The Californian market is the fifth largest economy in the world and this event provides South Australia businesses with enormous opportunities to establish new markets or grow existing ones. The United States is a key source market for South Australian tourism with the State attracting more than 30,000 visitors in 2005.”

Hugh Jackman, Olivia Newton John, John Travolta, INXS and Steve Irwin were among the celebrities lending their support to Australia Week in LA. The South Australian Tourism Commission was involved in a number of events throughout the week, including the Rosemount Estate Film Premier of Look Both Ways, an award-winning film shot entirely in South Australia.

South Australian artist, Kari Bienert also displayed a series of paintings throughout the week. Bienert was the only South Australian artists chosen to exhibit her work in LA, and one of her images was featured on the front cover of the Australia Week program.

“Bienert’s work draws upon the vivid energy of nature, patterns and colour, which is perfect for promoting Australia as a colourful and vibrant destination,” Minister Lomax-Smith says.

As part of the 2006 G’Day LA celebrations, Tourism Australia, the presenting partners of the Young Presidents Organisation, hosted a dinner which showcased a number of major events, one of them being the Great Australian Cattle Drive. Australia Week is a joint project between Tourism Australia, Qantas Airlines, Austrade, and the LA Offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

For more information contact Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.

Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under news
The Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under is over for another year, but amateur cyclists and fans of the event can now get the look of South Australia’s very own professional cycling team for themselves. South Australia.com – AIS team jerseys are now available for purchase in Australia. The striking purple jerseys carry the team name along with images of a kangaroo and South Australian landscapes.

The new South Australia.com – AIS team made its professional debut at this year’s Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under. In an impressive start, the team’s Matthew Goss and Simon Clarke finished seventh and eighth overall respectively.

Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith says there has been great interest from members of the public in the team and their outfits. “Organisers of the Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under received many requests and calls from people keen to buy a jersey,” Minister Lomax-Smith says. “It is a great promotion for the State and our association with cycling to have both professional cyclists and fans wearing the jersey bearing our State’s name.”

The South Australia.com – AIS cycling team will race in countries around the world, promoting the name South Australia as they go.

The final winner of this year’s Jacob’s Creek Tour Down Under was Victorian Simon Gerrans, who became the first rider in the eight-year history of the race to claim the lead on the first stage and hold it until the finish. An estimated 435,000 fans turned out during the five days of the January race to support the world-class field, despite a record heatwave, with temperatures soaring above the 40 degree Celsius mark.

Minister Lomax-Smith has also announced the route for the 2007 be active Tour that this year attracted record numbers of amateur cyclists.

“I am pleased to say that the 2007 be active Tour will travel from Stirling to Victor Harbor, with 150km, 100km and 30km options available. We have also opened registrations for next year’s event so locals and visitors can register their interest early.

“This ride is growing in popularity each year and last month more than 2500 registered cyclists lined up for the ride to Yankalilla. Next year’s route will take riders through the Adelaide Hills towards one of our most popular coastlines. I encourage people to get themselves a registration form from www.tourdownunder.com.au.”

For more information contact Michele D’Aloia on 08 8463 4695.

SA at the Australian Tourism Awards
The Australian tourism industry is getting ready to celebrate the personality and dedication of the nation’s tourism operators when the “best of the best” are announced at the 2005 Australian Tourism Awards. Finalists will represent South Australia in 27 categories at the gala event, to be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on 24 February.

Last year two South Australian operators were declared best in their categories at the Australian Tourism Awards, and South Australian Tourism Awards Manager Bianca Borrett is hopeful the State will equal, or even better that result this year.

“South Australia has a wealth of great tourism products, and this is an excellent chance for the hard work of our operators to be recognised on a national level,” Ms Borrett said.

“Winning national awards raises the profile of South Australia’s tourism industry and boosts our reputation for quality and service. The annual awards not only raise the standards of local tourism businesses, but also provide a benchmark for best practice and generally provide a better South Australian visitor experience.”

Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage is a first-time finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards’ Hosted Accommodation category. Owned and operated by Peter Milhinch and Sharyn Rogers, Seppeltsfield Vineyard Cottage is a meticulously restored, self-contained 1860s early German settlers cottage, located on a 25 acre vineyard property in the Barossa. The cottage provides luxurious, private bed and breakfast accommodation for one couple, combining everything the Barossa is best known for: wine, glorious views of vineyards, heritage and warm hospitality.

Ms Rogers said it was the first time she had entered her business in the state or national awards, and a win at the Australian Tourism Awards would be fantastic recognition by her peers, not only for her business but also for the Barossa region.

“Winning the State award and becoming a national finalist was a great compliment. We are proud to provide something really special for our guests, and this award shows all our hard work has been worth it,” she said.

Murraylands Tourism Marketing is also a finalist in the Australian Tourism Awards’ Destination Promotion category. Having won the category at both the 2003 and 2004 Awards, a win this year would mean Murraylands Tourism Marketing would be inducted into the Australian Tourism Hall of Fame. Murraylands Tourism Marketing uses innovative, creative and cost-effective methods to raise awareness of the region and increase visitor numbers including producing high-quality brochures and pamphlets, implementing strategic campaigns, and conducting media and trade tours.

For more information contact Bianca Borrett on 08 8463 4626.

New flights to Port Augusta
O’Connor Airlines will begin flights between Adelaide and Port Augusta this month. The regional airline, a fully hosted affiliate airline of Qantas, will service the route with a Cessna Conquest aircraft from 13 February. Two daily return flights will operate Monday to Friday. The Cessna Conquest is a nine-passenger twin engine, pressurised aircraft with large comfortable seating.

O’Connor Airlines has been operating air services since 1973. The addition of the new Adelaide to Port Augusta service further consolidates its position as a major regional airline and affords Qantas the opportunity of having a greater presence in regional South Australia. As a partner airline in the Qantas Frequent Flyer program, passengers travelling with O’Connor have the opportunity to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points across the whole of the O’Connor network.

Port Augusta, long an industrial hub, is rapidly rebadging itself as a premier tourism destination through the development of award-winning attractions such as the Wadlata Outback Centre and the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden. As the “crossroads of Australia”, Port Augusta is also the perfect base camp for journeys north to the Flinders Rangers and South Australia’s great Outback.

For more information contact Julia Angove on 08 8463 4610.


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