NATIONAL VISITOR SURVEY

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:38): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism—

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: —a question about the National Visitor Survey.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order! The interjections are out of order. The Hon. Ms Zollo might want to start again.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: Thank you, Mr President. I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about the National Visitor Survey.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: I understand that the federal government has changed its methodology of calculation in relation to visitor numbers. Overall, South Australian visitation is still growing and the industry remains strong. Can the Minister for Tourism elaborate on the new figures released today?

The PRESIDENT: The honourable minister.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:39): Thank you, Mr President.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: They squeal like stuck pigs. I thank the honourable member for her most important question. I am delighted to advise the chamber that the new figures released today by the federal government show that South Australia is surging ahead when it comes to domestic tourism expenditure. As the member noted, the federal government has indeed utilised more contemporary data from the ABS—

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: More creative data.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: —giving us a very clear and full picture when it comes to travel figures. I find it incredible that the opposition does not trust even ABS figures.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: We don't trust them in your hands.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: Well, read the report yourself. I mean, they are there. It is quite a simple report. It is very easy to read and it does not matter which way you read it. Even if you turn it upside down, the figures are still excellent for South Australian tourism. The state recorded an 11.4 per cent increase in domestic expenditure for the 12 months to March 2012, totalling a $4.56 billion investment, while the rest of Australia averaged a 10.7 per cent increase. So again, we are well above the national average.

The National Visitor Survey (NVS) result showed that South Australia attracted 5.21 million domestic visitors during the survey period. This was an increase of 6.3 per cent from the year ending March 2011 and, again, higher than the Australian average of 5.4 per cent. I am sure that all members are going to agree with me that these figures are excellent news for South Australia. Further, the results reinforce the importance of the South Australian Tourism Commission campaigns that are particularly targeted at our interstate and intrastate markets.

The new figures show that more South Australians are travelling within South Australia, with intrastate visits up 11.6 per cent and nights up quite a significant 14.9 per cent. The SATC's Best Backyard campaign is doing a fantastic job at inspiring South Australians to explore the diverse regions around them. I think it is important that we continue to encourage South Australians to get out now, see their own state and see what we have to offer. This campaign is a really effective way of sending this message. We are also seeing renewed interstate attention on destinations, particularly KI, which is being driven by the innovative Let Yourself Go campaign. We have had lots of very positive feedback from that.

The new NVS statistics that came out today show South Australia recorded growth in most purposes of visits, with business travel posting a 9 per cent increase. Significantly, these figures show that 64 per cent (that is, 3.31 million) of domestic visitors to our state visited regional South Australia. This is a fantastic result and means more opportunities to showcase what South Australia and our regions have to offer. Another highlight in the latest round of NVS figures was a 5.8 per cent increase in visitor nights across South Australia. It was the state's third consecutive period of growth and equates to 19.39 million domestic visitor nights spent in SA for the year—impressive by any measure.

Although recent international figures are disappointing—and I talked about those yesterday—I am delighted that our national domestic statistics are so strong. This is incredibly important, because it means that South Australia is continuing to grow as a tourism destination. I would like to certainly offer my heartfelt congratulations and appreciation for all South Australian tourism operators and businesses who continue to work hard to ensure that our state is a destination of note for tourists. As the Minister for Regional Development and Tourism, I am of the very firm belief that our regions are some of the very best that this country has to offer. It is wonderful that our unique offerings are being recognised and appreciated by visitors from both intra and interstate.