Nature-Based Tourism

The Hon. J.E. HANSON (15:00): I seek leave to ask the Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation a question about nature-based tourism.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.E. HANSON: Will the minister outline how the South Australian government is supporting our nature-based tourism sector?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Climate Change) (15:00): I would like to thank the honourable member for his most penetrating question, skewering me, unlike the opposition in this place who can't even bring themselves to ask a question of me today. Of course, members on this side of the chamber understand that tourism is a significant sector of the South Australian economy. It contributes approximately $6.3 billion to the state each year, I am advised. There are roughly 17,000 tourism businesses operating in South Australia, which also, I am advised, directly employ about 36,000 South Australians.

Our tourism sector relies heavily on the appeal of our state's unique natural attractions, which of course are spread right across our state. Around 44 per cent of tourism expenditure flows directly into regional communities, providing jobs and economic opportunities in the regions. This government is committed to growing our reputation as a must-see destination for international and domestic travellers. We aim for the sector to contribute $8 billion to our economy by 2020 and create 10,000 new direct tourism jobs. Nature-based tourism is an important part of the strategy and is a rapidly growing part of our tourism business, with the ambitious target of 1,000 new jobs and injecting $350 million into the state's economy each year over the same period.

The Nature Like Nowhere Else nature-based tourism strategy and action plan sets out the government's course for increasing these jobs for South Australians and improving visitor experience and expenditure in the local area and regional dispersal across the state. The government is collaborating very closely with the tourism industry, investors and communities to drive new investment in nature-based tourism. We are confident of our contribution to this continued upward trend that we have been seeing recently.

International tourism expenditure in South Australia has grown, I am advised, to over $1 billion, with a record 436,000 international visitors to this state in the year ending March 2017. This growth of 12 per cent, roughly, is significantly higher than the national average, I am advised, of about 8.1 per cent.

A large part of the credit for this increase must go, of course, to the magnificent efforts of the member for Mawson, Leon Bignell, who is a fantastic inveterate spruiker for our state's tourism potential. He is always out there sacrificing himself and his time, travelling overseas, spruiking our state, arranging for international airlines to have direct flights into South Australia, encouraging people to come here and spend extra time in our state and creating jobs in our state with increased tourism expenditure. Minister Bignell is clearly doing a magnificent job in this regard.

Research shows that places like Kangaroo Island, Eyre Peninsula and the Flinders Ranges still have significant and untapped appeal for international tourism markets, and that's why the government has allocated $23 million to a range of projects that will help to stimulate nature-based tourism. This includes $5.8 million spent creating the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail, which, as you will recall, Mr President, was rated by Lonely Planet as one of the world's top three new tourism experiences in 2017. The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail opened to walkers in October last year and has already seen significant bookings, I am told.

Two thousand walkers have booked to walk the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail and, of these, 1,081 have completed the trail to date. Responses from the first walkers of the trail have exceeded all our expectations. In addition, post-walk surveys show that 95 per cent of the walkers said that the KI Wilderness Trail was the main purpose for their visit to the island, and more than half of the walkers stayed at least six nights. This demonstrates that the Kangaroo Island Wilderness Trail is attracting new visitors to the island, contributing an extra two nights into the regional economy, which is a fantastic outcome. It is, I think, putting South Australia on the international radar, certainly for walkers, and is providing a major contribution to the Kangaroo Island tourism sector.

A report prepared by KPMG has estimated that the trail will contribute $4.4 million in total visitor expenditure per year by 2020. It is also expected to generate 27 new jobs on Kangaroo Island and another 23 across the state. The next stage of the project is a 'request for proposal' for private investment in ecosensitive accommodation facilities within the Flinders Chase National Park or the Kelly Hill Conservation Park or nearby. I am advised that it has resulted in two proposals having being received, which are currently being assessed. Business will also benefit by taking advantage of increased demand in transport services, guided tours and hospitality associated with the trail.

Shark cage diving in another part of the state in the Neptune Islands Marine Park is another example of the unique and environmentally sustainable nature-based tourism opportunities we have available. Visitor expenditure in the shark cage tourism offering has grown by 24 per cent, I am advised, and in itself is now a $12.8 million industry, attracting more than 10,000 people a year to Eyre Peninsula. It supports 80 jobs and, as an agency, we invest back 100 per cent of the licence fees that are collected.

DEWNR has further involvement in nature-based tourism opportunities via investment in the Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary, the Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, Botanic Gardens of South Australia and Cleland Wildlife Park. These investments are highlighting urban wildlife experiences and enabling the tourism industry to offer a nature-based experience for people without leaving the metropolitan area.

I am advised that Chinese tourism was the top driver of growth in international visitation to March 2017, with a 48 per cent increase in visits to 50,000 and a total spend of $315 million. There have been other private sector led initiatives that DEWNR has supported including Oceanic Victor, Swim with the Tuna experience on Granite Island, and Bickford's new microbrewery to be created on Kangaroo Island in the disused police station and cells on the Kingscote foreshore.

The state government is committed to growing this very important sector, boosting our regional communities as well as encouraging private sector investment in nature-based tourism ventures. Regional South Australians and our tourism businesses know that their future is indeed rosy with minister Bignell in charge of tourism policy in this state.