By Lauren Ferrone
Kent Comley is optimistic about the future in South Australia.
As manager of Mount Gambier’s accommodation and steakhouse, The Barn, Kent has witnessed firsthand the economic benefits tourism is having on the State.
“At the Barn, we have witnessed sustained growth over the past five years, with significant growth from Chinese and European markets,” he says.
Now Kent’s observations are proving correct, with new evidence released of the increased numbers of international and interstate visitors travelling to South Australia.
The International and National Visitor Survey results yesterday (Wednesday, September 14) show visitors to South Australia are staying longer and spending more money than ever before.
In fact, South Australia’s visitor economy has reached an all-time high of $5.95 billion, with the State continuing to attract a record number of interstate and international visitors.
South Australian Minister for Tourism, Leon Bignell (Photo: The Stock Journal)
South Australian Minister for Tourism, Leon Bignell, says in the past 12 months, and additional $608 million has been injected into the State’s visitor economy.
“And we’re on track to reaching its goal of an $8 billion visitor economy by 2020,” he says.
“It hasn’t happened by chance. The State Government knows tourism is an economic driver and we have pumped an additional $70 million into the tourism portfolio to market South Australia nationally and internationally and attract major events,” he says.
According to Minister Bignell, the figures are expected to grow even more following the introduction of direct flights by Qatar Airways and China Southern Airlines flying direct into Adelaide from China later this year.
“A strong visitor economy means more money for South Australia, more jobs in Adelaide and more jobs in our regions,” he adds.
(Source: International and National Visitor Survey)
Snapshot of results for the year to June 2016
- 11.4 per cent growth in visitor economy, from $5.34 billion to $5.95 billion
- Interstate and intrastate tourists continue to be the highest contributor to local economy, with day trips and overnight stays injecting $5 billion into our visitor economy
- Record 422,000 international visitors to South Australia who spent $944 million, compared to 385,000 visitors the year before who spent $774 million
- 7 per cent increase in international visitor nights to 9.6 million for the year – outperforming the national average of 5.2 per cent
- China continues to be a high performer in international expenditure – up 18 per cent and contributing more than $200 million to the visitor economy, with 36,000 Chinese visitors coming to South Australia during the 12 month period