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South Australia is set to record stagnant growth in the number of visitor nights in the next financial year, according to statistics from Tourism Research Australia, and is the only state to have a projected decline in overall international visitor nights.

Showing that the tourism industry in South Australia is facing challenging times, the 10-year forecast is for visitor nights to grow at 2.1% in the state, below the national average of 3%.

Commenting on the projections, Tourism Industry Council of SA Chief Executive Shaun de Bruyn told The Advertiser “less favourable influences included concerns regarding the economic outlook, the federal election, increased competition particularly from unlicensed tourism operators, as well as an increase in state taxes.”

Accepting that the next decade would present challenges amid global economic uncertainty, South Australian Tourism Minister David Ridgway noted “the impact on international markets and the way people choose to travel will ultimately adapt and change accordingly.”

However, Labor opposition tourism spokeswoman Zoe Bettison said the $23 million in cuts to tourism in the last South Australian budget had hit the sector, advising “the growth forecasts for the industry reflect how poorly this Government have performed in the tourism portfolio.

“We need to better market South Australia and attract more direct flights.”

Image: Vineyard in South Australia's Barossa Valley.

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