2 minute read
From the General Manager
by Boylen
AMAZING BOUNCE BACK!
IAN HORNE
WATCH VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Erp47_recwE
The recovery from two years of COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns has been remarkable. Literally, 12 months ago, hotels and hospitality were restricted to 25% capacity, sit down consumption only, karaoke permitted but the performer must wear a mask, no breakfast buffets and no smorgasboards.
Now in February 2023 we are in the midst of a festival and event avalanche. The State Government have allocated an additional $40 million to pursue major events over the next four years and we are seeing the results of a major increase in visitors and interest from within the state and from across our borders.
We’ve seen Harvest Rock, the reinvented Adelaide 500, tennis tournaments featuring international superstars and the wonderful Tour Down Under. We wait in anticipation for the Adelaide Fringe and the Adelaide Festival, WOMADelaide, the AFL “Gather” Round, LIV Golf and of course Tasting Australia, just to name a few.
2022 finished strongly and we are now kicking off 2023 with a massive year of events, conferences and festivals. This will all help to fill hotel rooms and drive visitation and expenditure across the state.
It’s fantastic to see the visitors returning to our state and particularly the high number of South Australians who are out and about, choosing to holiday and spend in SA. The regions in particular, having been the beneficiary of this new phenomena. Of course, this all points to a bonanza year in 2023 and one that benefits hotels large and small and the broader hospitality industry. The challenge is to keep it up. SA may well have got the jump on the other states but they have budgets and capacity that will prove to be significant competition. With that in mind, the State Government will need to continue to provide a level of financial and political support for the state’s tourism and hospitality industry so that each year we see SA ‘punching well above its weight’. Why? It is very simple really, it’s about attracting investment that stimulates growth to generate jobs.
It’s spending money to generate a return. The return is measured in economic activity that filters down to the smallest of operators and jobs.
Let there be more of it!
