Tourism
Growth and government support
Successful regional investment projects:
- The Bend Motorsport Park - $150 million
- Monarto Safari Park upgrade - $56 million
- Bridgeport Hotel - $45 million
- d’Arenberg Cube - $15 million
d'Arenberg Cube
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission. Photo: Marc Mandica.
Growth in South Australia:
- Best performing state in hotel occupancy in Australia 2020-21
- 15th highest hotel occupancy rate in the world in March 2021 (from data analysed across 180 countries by global hotel data analytics firm, STR)
- Regional visitor expenditure up 29%
- Record visitor expenditure of $5.8 billion
- Government invested almost $200 million towards regional tourism infrastructure
- 5-star Sofitel and EOS hotels, and 4-star Indigo Hotel now open in Adelaide
- 10 new hotels planned for Adelaide creating over 5,000 new rooms
- Highest attendance in 15 years at the OzAsia Festival opening week in October 2021
- 2022 Adelaide Fringe ticket sales up 22% on previous year
Kangaroo Island
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission. Photo: Jonathon van der Knaap.
Government support initiatives:
- Great State Voucher initiative generated 60,000 bookings resulting in $90 million economic impact
- Co-investment fund - $130 million improving national parks
- Tourism Industry Development Fund – supporting 80 tourism projects worth $60 million
- Building Better Regions – supporting tourism projects worth $16 million
Flinders Ranges
Credit: Rawnsley Park Station. Photo: Randy Larcombe.
Investment advantages
South Australia is globally connected and provides superior business stability and continuity afforded by the state’s higher employee retention rates, payroll tax advantages and land tax opportunities. This contributes to a reputation for a robust and resilient economy.
Ranked as the most liveable city in Australia in 2021 and the third most liveable city in the world, Adelaide has developed an arts and entertainment identity drawing visitors from all over the world with year-round experiences at arts and music festivals and events, international sporting events, great restaurants, hotels, and boutique laneway bars.
Adelaide differs from other major interstate city centres with a smaller CBD and greater access to surrounding suburbs and regions. Efficient road and public transport networks mean a short trip to the city, hills, beaches or international airport, with direct and easy travel to popular regional areas.
Regional tourism is booming with South Australia’s unique and diverse natural assets and experiences, amazing fresh food, and 18 distinctive, internationally recognised wine regions set on stunning landscapes.
Leading the way with experiential travel, South Australia lends itself to unique, funky, off-grid cabins or eco-pods or luxury accommodation in the most astonishing locations – along pristine beaches, in dense forests, amongst vineyards, above hidden coves, majestic gorges, and on top of rolling hills.
Flinders Ranges
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission. Photo: Adam Bruzzone.
Connected ecosystem
To ensure South Australia’s tourism sector thrives, the Department for Trade and Investment has a dedicated Tourism team works closely with the South Australian Tourism Commission to deliver investment opportunities and high-class experiences.
The Department for Trade and Investment works across all levels of government, with the Regional Development Authority and the government’s overseas offices to provide support to investors.
The Tourism sector team provide a bespoke client management service to investors looking to develop a tourism offering in South Australia. The team can facilitate introductions and engagement with stakeholders such as regulators, transport and infrastructure, training providers and are on hand to showcase the sector and all it offers.
Kangaroo Island
Credit: South Australian Tourism Commission. Photo: Ian Routledge.
Investment opportunities
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Investment: Direct investment
Nora Creina Golf Resort, Robe
Project involves international standards 36-hole golf course, restaurant, club house, high end accommodation(3, 4, 5 and 7 star), wellness centre, walking trails, Aboriginal Arts & Cultural Centre.
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Investment: Direct investment
Barossa Golf Course - Tanunda Pines Golf Course
Own a picturesque golf course in the heart of the locally loved and world renowned Barossa Valley Renowned Globally - Barossa Valley Premier Golf Course – Walk In Walk Out Significant Add Value Potential
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Investment: Direct investment
The David Roche Foundation Redevelopment
The David Roche Foundation is seeking donors for a development plan which will establish Adelaide as Australia's cultural and art destination.
Primary contact
Help for investing in South Australia's Tourism sector
Tom Herraman
Acting Director - International education and Tourism
Leading opportunities for international education, research and development innovations across global partnerships and promoting South Australia’s tourism offering through sustainable tourism developments and experiences.
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