South Australian Tourism

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Tourism, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (16:25): I want to take this opportunity to celebrate the amazing results South Australia has achieved in the portfolio of tourism; we are well on our way to recovering our record high of $8.1 billion this financial year. Then, of course, we have our aspirational target of $12.8 billion by 2030. With the results we saw in October, an almost billion-dollar month, we have many reasons to be optimistic about our future.

Whenever I go across the state I hear from operators who are determined to keep going, to innovate, to deliver world-class experiences and products, to make sure that South Australia becomes a leading global destination of choice. Our tour operators are also focused on the future and the opportunities that are in store.

Before I talk about the future I would really like to pause and acknowledge the operators in our river regions. I have been down there several times, and on the phone on a regular basis, hearing first-hand what operators want from us to assist with their recovery. As members would know, the Malinauskas Labor government has put forward a package of $200 million to build back infrastructure and to help businesses and communities throughout the region.

A marketing campaign, tourism vouchers and other initiatives will be rolled out in coming weeks and months to bring visitors back to the river regions to experience the abundance of wildlife and the replenished wetlands and lakes systems. This high water event, which has been incredibly damaging, will also result in something we have not seen for decades. Many of the tourism operators have talked about how this event will increase the flora and fauna, and we will see activity around the Murray River that we have not seen for a very long time. We have spent a lot of time talking about it being very dry and experiencing low levels, so this is quite a change, and we will see the beauty of that.

We know that tourism's value to our state is immense. It is a key economic driver. I talk about tourism a lot, but I want to make sure that it becomes a bigger slice of our economic pie. I also want to make sure that South Australians understand the value of tourism to our state, and I remind colleagues across the chamber as well as my own colleagues on this side that tourism makes money for this state—not just in the CBD but across the whole state. It is an important driver of economic investment and jobs.

We want to bring interstate and international money to be spent in our cities and towns, from events filling hotels, restaurants and tour buses to the return of major international business conferences and conventions. We have international students coming back in person and on campus. Every part of the industry is ready to take full advantage.

I really enjoy getting out and about, with 18 regional visits since I became minister. Our operators are the ambassadors for our state, and they have amazing insight into the changing trends and demands of an international market. Listening to their perspectives on our strengths and opportunities for improvement gives me valuable grassroots data. I can read a lot of tables and figures, but talking to people face to face is the best way to understand what is happening.

One of the areas I would like to see built on is our incredible wineries, which attract people from around the world. However, we know that for families from cultures that do not drink—and we estimate that number is nearly 45 per cent of the global population—we need something more to draw them here.

Our wine regions also have some of the finest agricultural regions, and cellar doors are just an example of agritourism. So whether it is apple orchards, strawberry picking, truffle hunting, mushroom foraging or farm stays, and so much more, there are huge opportunities for growth in our traditional wine and agricultural regions. I look forward to talking to my colleagues and those across the chamber about opportunities around agritourism. We passed legislation the year before last about aquaculture and tourism. This is a growing industry.

One thing I say to people is that we do acknowledge we have skill shortages. I would like to see tourism back to where it was: one of the most exciting industries that people want to be part of. We put additional money into the Tourism Industry Council, and I am continuing to work with them and the Minister for Industry and Skills to make this possible.