South Australia will host the 2024 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards next year, marking the event's 40th anniversary.
The announcement was made last night in Darwin at the 2023 national awards, at which some of South Australia's tourism operators were acknowledged for their incredible contribution to the sector.
The Adelaide Fringe was awarded Gold in the inaugural Excellence in Accessible Tourism category at a national level.
The Middleton Beach Huts also received Gold for 4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation.
As host city of the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards in 2025, Adelaide will welcome the crème-de-la-crème of Australia's tourism industry who are in the running for these prestigious awards.
To be held on the back of Adelaide's exciting festival season next year, South Australia's capital city will provide the perfect backdrop to celebrate tourism's night of nights.
The awards on 20-21 March 2025, will provide an opportunity to further showcase our state on the national stage. Since the awards were last held in Adelaide in 2015, a lot has changed for our tourism industry with new luxury hotels opening and world-class experiences to offer.
The event is expected to attract up to 800 tourism industry leaders and business owners to South Australia.
South Australia is no stranger to hosting important business events, holding over 120 each year. In the past, these have included the World Routes Aviation Conference, Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition and Tourism Australia Dreamtime.
List of SA winners at the 2023 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards:
GOLD
4-4.5 Star Deluxe Accommodation - Beach Huts Middleton
Excellence in Accessible Tourism - Adelaide Fringe
SILVER
Adventure Tourism - Bendleby Ranges
Tourism Wineries, Distilleries & Breweries - Seppeltsfield Wines
3 - 3.5 Star Accommodation - ibis Adelaide
BRONZE
Tourist Attractions - d'Arenberg
Visitor Information Services - Port Lincoln Visitor Information Centre
Unique Accommodation - Woodhouse Adventure Park
New Tourism Business - Port River Cruises
Excellence in Food Tourism - Adelaide Showground Farmers' Market
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said we are thrilled to be hosting the nation's premier tourism celebration in Adelaide, South Australia in 2025.
"The Qantas Australian Tourism Awards will provide a fantastic opportunity to showcase our state to the best of our nation's tourism industry, with world-class events like the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and WOMADelaide in full swing," Minister Bettison said.
"In the ten years' since we last hosted these prestigious awards, our CBD now boasts 5-star luxury accommodation including the Sofitel Adelaide, EOS by SkyCity, and the soon-to-be-opened Marriott International.
"Adelaide is a great place to visit and a central hub that makes it easy for visitors to fully explore South Australia. Our city really is the gateway to enjoy stunning and diverse regional landscapes, world-class wine regions that are minutes away from the CBD, pristine beaches and native wildlife."
Erin McLeod, CEO of the Australian Tourism Industry Council said in 2025 the Australian tourism industry will be celebrating 40 years of recognising tourism excellence through the Australian Tourism Awards.
"With its strong and vibrant array of festivals and events, Adelaide is well placed to create a festive atmosphere to commemorate this exciting event," she said.
"Adelaide is home to an incredibly rich selection of venues and is brimming with opportunities to collaborate with the local industry to put together an absolutely show stopping event. We are looking forward to working with the South Australian tourism industry and welcoming guests from across the country to celebrate this milestone event."
