Kangaroo Island tourism bounces back

The Morrison Government is providing almost $2.5 million to support tourism jobs and businesses on Kangaroo Island.

Senator for South Australia Andrew McLachlan said the funding would go towards tourism and marketing initiatives to help attract more visitors to the unique attractions and beauty of one of Australia's most naturally stunning locations.

“Kangaroo Island remains a jewel in the crown of South Australian tourism and this investment will help attract more visitors and support local jobs and businesses,” Senator McLachlan said.

“This funding boost is a win for the local economy at a time when the region's tourism sector is turning the corner in its recovery after the bushfires and pandemic.”

The Morrison Government is providing $2,375,000 for the Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance to:

• Better connect Kangaroo Island visitor packages and experiences with domestic tourism markets in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
• A marketing project to help tourism operators on Kangaroo Island to attract domestic visitors during quiet times. The project will analyse current and emerging interstate tourism markets to drive demand through traditional and digital marketing.
• A project to build tourism operator and industry capacity to increase interstate visitation.
• A silo art project at Kingscote, where the Island's major retail outlets are located.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the Morrison Government was taking action to support the tourism sector.

“The best thing we can do for our tourism industry is to get Australians booking holidays and spending money,” Mr Tehan said.

“Kangaroo Island was also a beneficiary of our Government's 800,000 half-priced airfares that helped get Australians travelling again.”

Kangaroo Island Tourism Alliance Chairman Pierre Gregor has welcomed the funding boost.

“The money provided will play a key role in facilitating Kangaroo Island's tourism recovery by driving demand throughout the year, enhancing business capability and capacity and specifically targeting the interstate market to help fill the void left by international travel restrictions,” Mr Gregor said.

“Kangaroo Island is an amazing nature-based tourism destination with strong appeal to the international and domestic market.

“Tourism is a major pillar of the Island's economy contributing significantly to employment and the region's economy. Unfortunately, it has been heavily impacted by the major bushfires and COVID-19 resulting in the loss of the international market which made up approximately one third of our traditional visitation.

“We look forward to again showcasing Kangaroo Island to fellow Australians”.

The money is provided through the Recovery for Regional Tourism Program, an initiative of the Morrison Government's $1 billion COVID-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.