SOUTH Australia’s Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison’s number one aspiration is for the cruise industry to be taken seriously as a key economic driver for the state.
Bettinson, speaking exclusively to CW following last week’s ACA conference (CW 06 Aug), said the whole of South Australia stands to benefit from the cruise and tourism industries.
“It’s an economic driver, not just for the [Adelaide] CBD, but for the whole of South Australia.
Bettison said “there’s something in it for all parts” of the state, with cruises that go to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln, and expedition ships visiting Robe.
Bettison’s recognition of the industry’s effect on South Australia’s economy has seen her commit to a new cruise attracting working group, which will attempt to lure more lines to the state’s shores and connect the dots between disparate parts of SA’s tourism economy.
The new body will ultimately be charged with continuing South Australia’s cruise rally, which saw the state enjoy its biggest season ever in 2023-2024 (CW 08 Aug).
“Part of it is having conversations with people and making sure regionally, they’re aware of the opportunity,” Bettison explained.
“Because of the [South Australian Tourism Commission’s] great work, particularly with those destinations like Pennishaw and [Kangaroo Island], there’s a market,” she added.
“We’ve put money into the welcoming arrangements that are there, and also into Port Lincoln Council, who run it.”
One of Bettison’s goals for South Australia’s cruise industry is to sell its nature experiences as well as its food & wine.
This includes activities in the Flinders Ranges, Wilpena Pound, the Ediacara Fossil Site at Nilpena, and South Australia’s “station stays” at the state’s ranches.
“What it means is that we need to be talking to travel agents who are selling cruise to educate them on that product,” she explained.
Bettison is also bullish on South Australia’s opportunity to tackle some of the cruise industry’s largest problems, such as future fuel and shore power.
“If we can get into sustainable fuels for maritime as well as aviation, we’d love to, [but] we need to see some decision-making internationally, we can’t go it alone,” she pleaded.
“We’re talking to [Flinders Ports] about additional upgrades that are possible to do, like shore power, refuelling, Bettison explained” MS