State Budget 2024-25 handed down, SA Tourism Conference success, & more…
The 2024-25 State Budget has been handed down today by Treasurer Stephen Mullighan, with some positive outcomes for South Australia’s tourism sector:
- $20.8 million over four years to accelerate adoption and consumer awareness of a distinct South Australian destination brand through tourism marketing, increasing the state’s appeal and awareness, both interstate and internationally, and supporting our regions. This includes $2.1 million over four years for the Regional Tourism Alignment Initiative to bolster regional tourism, industry capability and product development.
- $8.3 million over four years to ensure the Tour Down Under continues as a world-class, compelling event, delivering growth in visitor expenditure and community outcomes.
- $14 million over four years to expand the Business Events Fund with a focus on supporting more events during winter periods.
- $20 million over three years to provide upgraded sporting and community facilities at Lyndoch Recreation Park, in preparation for Gather Round 2025.
- $720,000 in 2024-25 to construct four permanent structured pavilions in Mount Gambier for Generations in Jazz, an annual weekend jazz festival held in May that brings together young jazz musicians from all over Australia and New Zealand.
Businesses will also benefit from $20 million in 2024-25 for Round 2 of the Economic Recovery Fund, to support grants for up to 8,000 eligible small businesses to become more energy efficient, reducing their energy bills on an ongoing basis.
For further detail of the 2024-25 State Budget, please refer to statebudget.sa.gov.au.
Earlier this week, the State Government announced the successful applicants of Round 1 of the Economic Recovery Fund which was established in the 2022-23 State Budget. There was $11.5 million allocated to Regional Tourism Infrastructure Development, with support for projects across Barossa, Kangaroo Island, Fleurieu Peninsula, and Flinders Ranges & Outback. It is terrific to see this assistance will help deliver more accommodation for regional South Australia, which is crucial for growing our regional visitor economy.
Our state’s tourism industry came together this week for the SA Tourism Conference, presented by the Tourism Industry Council of SA (TiCSA). I had the pleasure of sharing an update on the SATC’s current focus and goals for both the short and long terms. There are many exciting opportunities for our industry, such as regenerative tourism, embracing AI and building on our event momentum – to name a few.
The winners of the Hello SA Top Tourism Town Awards presented by TiCSA were announced at the conference, crowning Victor Harbor our Top Tourism Town. Burra in the Clare Valley took home both the SA Tiny Tourism Town Award and SA People’s Choice Award, while the SA Small Tourism Town Award went to Coober Pedy in the Flinders Ranges & Outback. These brilliant SA destinations will go on to represent our state in the national awards later this year.
Emma Terry
Chief Executive Officer
South Australian Tourism Commission