Answers to Questions

Tourism

219 The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay) (25 September 2020). What programs are funded via the $120 million of measures announced to support the tourism industry? What is regional South Australia's proportion of this funding?

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier): I have been advised:

In August 2020, I noted that the government recognises the critical importance of the state's tourism sector to our economy, which is why we're investing what was then estimated to be more than $122 million in stimulus to support the industry and the 40,000 South Australians it employs.

This includes large-scale infrastructure projects at iconic destinations, including the rebuild of tourism attractions on Kangaroo Island such as Flinders Chase National Park and Kelly Hill Caves visitor precincts, various regional projects under the Parks 2025 Strategy, various waivers and reductions in fees and charges, targeted tourism industry support programs, additional domestic marketing campaigns to boost visitation and activity and additional investment in tourism signage. Support has also been provided to the tourism industry through the provision of the government's $10,000 Small business grants to eligible tourism industry businesses.

It is estimated that around $85 million of this funding is directly benefiting regional South Australian tourism.

The 2020-21 budget included further measures including the Tourism Industry Development Fund grant program of $20 million over two years, to stimulate private sector investment in new and improved regional accommodation, and the development of quality tourism products and experiences for the regions.