South Australia’s tourism and events sector is a key driver of our economy and a major job creator.

Pre-Covid-19 the tourism industry had reached an economic value to the state of $8.1 billion, directly employing nearly 40,000 people and supporting tens of thousands more jobs in sectors such as hospitality, transport and logistics, the arts, food production and construction. When Covid-19 reached our shores in early 2020, it hit the tourism industry hard. Our international borders shut down within weeks, immediately impacting those tourism businesses directed at the international tourism market. Then the industry endured a series of lockdowns in our major domestic markets such as Victoria and New South Wales.

The value of the South Australian tourism industry plummeted during the pandemic. Iconic businesses closed and jobs were lost as the state battled the economic impacts of the pandemic, many in regional areas where tourism is the lifeblood of the local economy.

As Tourism Minister in the Malinauskas Labor Government, I want to work with industry to ensure that South Australia is shown off as the premier tourist destination that it should be.

To contact me about any matters that are related to tourism, please reach out to my Ministerial office.