Masks & QR code rules ease, webinar to address skills shortage, voucher boost & more...
Welcome news for many tourism and hospitality operators today with confirmation that South Australia’s mask mandate will lift this week, as we further align with national guidelines.
Following today’s meeting of the Emergency Management Council, Premier Peter Malinauskas, together with chief public health officer Professor Nicola Spurrier, announced several changes to come into effect from Good Friday:
- Mask mandate removed for most public settings – only required in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care, public transport, ride-share services and airports
- QR codes in hospitality and other public venues no longer required (they will remain for hospitals and aged care facilities)
- Close contact rules ease for airline industry – an exemption will apply to allow airline workers (including public-facing roles) to continue to work and manage strong travel demand.
Premier Malinauskas said these changes will largely bring us into line with practices we see around the country.
As always, refer to covid-19.sa.gov.au for details.
As we head into the Easter break and school holidays, it’s good news from Qatar Airways with the first direct Adelaide-Auckland flight launching tonight.
The new route is an extension of the current service between Doha and Adelaide, and the flight from Doha to Adelaide and onwards to Auckland is scheduled to operate three times per week.
It’s great timing with the lifting of New Zealand border restrictions tonight, and signals true two-way travel with our fourth biggest international market.
Read on for details and other updates.
Rodney Harrex
Chief Executive
Free webinar to help plug the gap
Are you looking for new employees? Perhaps you are regionally based and/or there isn’t enough interest from potential applicants?
Join our free webinar to learn how to attract and retain tourism and hospitality staff.
Consider what makes you stand out as an employer and work through what you need to do in relation to salaries and benefits, hiring and recruitment, retention, engagement and training, and more.
In a practical and interactive session, you'll have the opportunity to review benefits and benchmarking, as well as work on simple ideas about what you can include in your retention strategy to attract top talent, keep valuable employees, reduce turnover, and lower your costs.
Time: 10am – 11am
Date: Wednesday 4 May, 2022
Great State Vouchers a multi-million-dollar boost
With almost 100,000 bookings made in the latest rounds of the Great State Voucher scheme, new data shows it has generated $52 million for South Australia’s visitor economy.
It brings the estimated total value of the scheme to nearly $147 million, driving CBD hotel occupancy to some of the highest rates in the nation and accelerating tourism recovery.
Round seven targeted the state’s accommodation sector – boosting forward bookings for Adelaide hotels to a post-pandemic record-high and average CBD occupancy to around 83 per cent.
Round eight targeted hosted tours and experiences, and again proved a winner in creating additional bookings for operators.
SA Tourism Awards – nominate your business
Calling all SA tourism operators – it’s time to nominate your business for the 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards.
Hosted by the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), the program has over 25 categories which highlight the diverse and unique tourism businesses across the state.
Categories include cultural and eco tourism, tour and transport operators, excellence in food or accessible tourism, festivals and events, and more.
We’re proud to get behind the Awards to help recognise the excellence in our industry, and see winners represent SA in the national program.
Nominations close from 30 May.
Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference
The Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference (AITC) is in the diary for 2022 – set to take place on 16-18 June in Cairns, Queensland.
Hosted by WAITOC, Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council, the theme for this year’s event is ‘The Time is Now – Let’s Ignite’.
Tourism experts and industry organisations will present from across Australia, examining current and future travel trends.
Find out more via the AITC website.
Rezdy masterclass for tourism businesses
Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism is hosting a special one-day Rezdy masterclass – free for Fleurieu based businesses and at a small fee for those outside the region.
The hands-on workshop will provide guidance on working with an online booking platform, setting up new products and experiences, and selling to agents around the world.
For those already using the platform, you’ll learn how to take your software to the next level.
Time: 9am – 5pm
Date: Thursday 5 May 2022
New visitor guide for Adelaide – out now
The latest edition of the Adelaide Visitor Guide is out now – and with domestic and international travel on the rise, it’s a great resource to help people explore Australia’s most liveable city.
The quintessential guide for travellers to SA, the Adelaide Visitor Guide has been a staple for visitors to the city for more than 20 years.
Produced by HWR Media and the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA), the guide is refreshed annually to stay on top of trends and consumer interests.
See the Industry Update – 12 April 2022.