A growing SA tourism industry will support local jobs, businesses and increase our state’s vibrancy.
Addressing skills shortages
The tourism industry is facing skills shortages caused by low wages, inconsistent hours, perceived or actual limited career progression, and lack of available accommodation in regional areas.
RAA is calling for a state-wide strategic plan to address the severe skills shortages in the critical tourism and hospitality industry.
The plan should consider the priorities in the SA Tourism Commission (SATC) January 2022 Workforce Directions Report, including maximising the returning international workforce and increasing opportunities for women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers, older job seekers, and young people.
Increasing tourism marketing
South Australia has significant opportunity to grow its tourism economy, given the renewed interstate and international traveller demand, post COVID.
RAA supports increased investment in the State’s tourism marketing budget to ensure South Australia can compete with other states for the lucrative interstate and international tourism dollar.
Boosting SA’s cruising industry
The cruise industry holds key potential to boost South Australia’s visitor expenditure and attract tourism to the state’s regions.
Recent surges in port fees and charges are threatening South Australia’s cruise industry, requiring government action to reshape what cruising looks like in South Australia.
Short-term investments to upgrade basic facilities at Outer Harbour and improve baggage screening processes would be easy fixes to see swift impact.
In the longer-term, collaboration with NSW and Tasmanian Governments to produce new cruising offerings not reliant on Victoria would boost South Australia’s visitor economy significantly.
Consideration for energy and refuelling infrastructure at Outer Harbour would further boost the visitor economy and align with state sustainability goals.
Building infrastructure to attract more visitors
RAA supports ongoing investment in publicly funded tourism infrastructure to create new experiences and improve South Australia’s appeal to visitors.
Investment in tourism experiences, such as national parks, museums, and other public assets can extend length of stay and increase visitor expenditure.
At the regional level, RAA believes the State Government should fund an ongoing tourism grant program that revitalises regional town centres, improves and upgrades local infrastructure, and creates unique tourism experiences to increase visitation.
RAA also supports efforts to enhance infrastructure at Adelaide Airport – including improved road connections with the city’s arterial road network, better car parking and passenger drop-off facilities, and regular public transport services between the airport and the CBD – to cater for future growth in passenger numbers.
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