Best year in Yorke Peninsula for tourism

Yorke Peninsula has had its best year yet for tourism, with visitor spend in the region hitting an all-time high.

Tourists spent $319 million in the Yorke Peninsula in the year-end September 2022, as latest data from Tourism Research Australia shows.

It is the region’s highest visitor expenditure over a 12-month period on record, up 33 per cent on pre-pandemic levels ($240 million in 2019).

The record spend has also surpassed the Yorke Peninsula’s 2025 target of $289 million and is well on its way to the region’s 2030 target of $359 million.

It comes as Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison and South Australian Tourism Commission CEO Emma Terry are in the region, holding tourism roundtables in Wallaroo, Yorketown and Maitland, as well as visiting operators along the Peninsula and Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park.

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the records continue to tumble for regional South Australia, now celebrating the Yorke Peninsula’s highest ever tourism spend.

"Visitors to the region spent $319 million, making it not only the best year yet in the region – but smashing their regional target for 2025 out of the ballpark," Minister Bettison said.

"These record-breaking figures show that the recovery of our state’s tourism industry – which is now at 90 per cent of its 2019 $8.1 billion high – and the thousands of regional operators within it, is surging ahead."

Yorke Peninsula Tourism and SATC Board Member, Jess Greatwich said Tourism Research Australia’s latest data confirms that the Yorke Peninsula is South Australia’s ultimate coastal playground, beloved by generations, and boasting stronger than ever visitation.

"Yorke Peninsula Tourism is actively supporting our region as we work towards our 2030 goal of $359 million annual spend," Ms Greatwich said.

"This month we will launch our Towards 20230 Strategic Tourism Action Plan, prioritising tourism product development, storytelling and an enhanced digital communications campaign for the Yorke Peninsula.

"Supporting this plan is a $32,000 investment in product and experience development over the next six months to develop and extend high quality, bookable experiences that show off the best of our region."