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You have launched an India Strategy 2020. Is this a part of Tourism Australia’s strategic plan?
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Jay Weatherill
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This is our own initiative. The India Strategy -2020 outlines the tourism response required from South Australia to boost economic contribution from this inbound market. The India market sees the second largest visitor nights, outside China. Though the number of tourists are not much, they stay longer. It is also partly because they are visiting families or students. We want to get people into the tourism experience. We want to maximise the numbers. Kangaroo Island is well known but they don’t know about the attractions in South Australia.
What are your plans to showcase South Australia in this market by leveraging the ICC World Cup in 2015?
We have to create awareness of brand South Australia in India. Next year we will be hosting the World Cup. The match between India and Pakistan is going to be played at the Adelaide Oval on February 15, 2015. We are trying to use that to attract the attention of Indian tourists to South Australia. We understand that 7000 Indians have booked tickets. We have still reserved 5000 tickets which can be made available. It is a very sought after event to be watched by millions in India. We see this match as an introduction of South Australia to India.
Please tell us something about Adelaide Oval.
The newly renovated Adelaide Oval is in central city and linked to the shopping district. It is one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. The Oval also has the museum of Sir Donald Bradman Collection. The actual Oval itself overlooks a park land. It is so much like a convention centre than a stadium. Soon there will be a new restaurant in the Oval.
What would be key factors that would attract Indian visitors to South Australia?
There is not much awareness of South Australia in India though the destination has so much to offer. Indian tourists are looking for new experience and South Australia has many interesting offerings. The weather is fantastic. Adelaide is among the 30 safest cities in Australia. We also have a sizable Indian populace. It also has a first class food and wine culture. We would like to invite people from India to South Australia and experience themselves, specially at the time of the World Cup.
What are the major highlights of Adelaide as a destination?
The Indian tourist likes a combination of city life and natural beauty. If you base yourself in Adelaide then you can enjoy the city experiences and also the natural attractions nearby. Half an hour away from the city is Adelaide Hills which is a beautiful wine growing district with vineyards and hills. The coastline is also half an hour drive from the city, where you can swim with the dolphins. There are many things to experience in close proximity to Adelaide city which is itself an elegant, cosmopolitan destination with European style architecture. It also has a vibrant nightlife with bars, cafes and music. The city has many park lands. The iconic experience in the centre of the city is the Adelaide Central Market, which is well known for its premium fruits and vegetables. There are also vineyards in the south, an hour’s drive away. Barossa Valley lies in the north which is very famous for its red wine. All these places have first class accommodation. Half an hour off the coast, by plane or ferry ride is the Kangaroo Island. That itself is a place of extraordinary natural beauty with natural rock structures. It is also teeming with wildlife, primarily kangaroos and koalas.
What are the interesting activities for adventure lovers?
Among the interesting experiences is the shark cage diving. It is an incredible experience, and perfectly safe. Port Lincoln is the only place in the world where you can do this experience whole year round. In South Africa and off the coast of California and Mexico they do it in much shorter season. Port Lincoln is only half an hour flight from Adelaide where you can also also swim with the sea lions. So it can be like a complete sea safari.
You can go on a catamaran and hang off the back on a rope and the dolphins come and interact with you. South Australia is the only place where you have a combination of all these experiences.
Are you doing something about increasing the flight frequency between India and South Australia?
The connection is mainly through Singapore. Emirates flies in from Dubai, Cathay from Hong Kong and Malaysian Airlines from Kuala Lumpur. Also, once you are in Australia there are many internal flights connecting Adelaide.
