A summer to remember as regions celebrate best January on record in SA
Tis the sea-sun for a new tourism record, with accommodation occupancy in regional South Australia over the summer reaching new highs.
The best average occupancy for any January on record and an all-time high revenue of $25.2 million, were among the celebrated figures for regional South Australia in the summer of 2023.
Latest regional accommodation data shows:
- Regional South Australia saw average occupancy of 66 per cent for January 2023, the highest occupancy for any January on record
- January saw 134,000 room nights occupied across regional SA, again the highest for any January on record
- January saw revenue/takings of $25.2 million, the highest monthly revenue ever recorded
- Regional South Australia saw average occupancy of 61 per cent for February 2023, the highest occupancy for any February on record
- February saw 116,000 room nights occupied across regional SA, again the highest for any February on record
- February 2023 is the ninth consecutive month for record-breaking occupancy in regional South Australia.
All-time highs were clocked for the Limestone Coast in January, which saw its highest-ever occupancy of 84 per cent, highest-ever room nights occupied at 31,000, and highest-ever revenue at $5.9 million – all monthly records for the region.
The combined ‘wine regions’ of Adelaide Hills, Barossa and Clare Valley reached the highest occupancy for any January on record at 70 per cent and toppled its pre-COVID occupancy of just 59 per cent in January 2019.
The Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas saw combined average occupancy of 77 per cent in January 2023 – the best January result for the regions on record.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the strong momentum in tourism recovery continues, with a series of new records set for regional South Australia.
"More than $25 million in revenue for regional hotels in January – the highest it’s ever been in a single month – as well as the highest regional occupancy rate we’ve seen for any January before it," Minister Bettison said.
"With February also its best February yet, we’re now at nine consecutive months of record-breaking occupancy rates in the regions, showing no sign of slowing down.
"It is also so important to see regions like the Limestone Coast perform so strongly – with all-time highs in occupancy, room nights occupied and revenue, these results couldn’t be better for the region which was hit so hard by border closures during the pandemic."