Record-breaking occupancy | AHICE success | Tasting Australia served up
South Australia has been in the spotlight thanks to a major hotel conference, non-stop blockbuster events drawing crowds, and our unique winter experiences being showcased to Aussies.
The Asia Pacific Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE) was in Adelaide last week, bringing more than 1,400 delegates from over 40 countries to our city. The business event is the largest and most influential hotel conference across the Asia Pacific, providing a great opportunity to showcase South Australia and position our state as an attractive place to stay and do business. The atmosphere at Adelaide Oval was lively as industry came together to share ideas and discuss the outlook for the Asia Pacific.
In some exceptional examples of strong demand for our state, recent data shows Mad March 2024 delivered the strongest revenue for a month on record and the highest ever number of room nights occupied for any month. The Saturday night of Gather Round saw a new single night revenue record for Adelaide accommodation, reaching $3.9 million.
Once again LIV Golf Adelaide was a major win for South Australia, with a record 94,000 attendees discovering just how well our state hosts major events. The international coverage put our state on the world stage as a must-visit destination, while accommodation operators enjoyed a boost in bookings.
A successful opening weekend of Tasting Australia presented by RAA Travel showcased our state’s food and beverage. Train rides, intimate masterclasses, long lunches and hands-on workshops are some of the 150 events on offer across the 10-day event. Still with a week to go, the festival is helping encourage visitors from all around to experience the best of our state’s people, place, and produce.
We also had the best wheelchair rugby players from around Australia and New Zealand, along with other international stars, in town over the weekend for the 2024 Santos Wheelchair Rugby National Championship. Spectators turned out in force to see the nation's best players compete on home soil ahead of the Paralympic Games.
The next phase of our domestic campaign, ‘Winter. Our Way.’ is now in market. Aiming to inspire domestic visitation in our state over the cooler months, it will showcase South Australian experiences on offer such as wintery events, cold-climate produce, winter wildlife, and cosy accommodation. To find out how your business can get involved, check out the Industry Toolkit via the campaign page.
Emma Terry
Chief Executive Officer
South Australian Tourism Commission