The Adelaide Convention Bureau has wrapped its 8th and most 'extensive' and 'diverse' Destination SA which looks set to once again deliver significant economic impact to the state and its business event operators.
The event commenced on 2nd August with the arrival of the overseas guests who, after witnessing some incredible glassblowing at the Jam Factory and a Central Market experience embarked on a 2 day familiarisation tour of the Barossa Valley that saw them enjoying the very best food, wine and activities the region has to offer including wine blending and degustation dining and luxury accommodation at the Louise and its famous restaurant Appellation.
The inclement weather unfortunately meant a scheduled ballooning experience over the gorgeous vineyard filled landscape was cancelled.
On Thursday, the national visitors arrived in town to spend time visiting some of Adelaide’s best loved and most famous sites including a shopping experience amid the wonderful sights, sounds and smells of the buzzing conic Central Market – the largest fresh food market in the Southern Hemisphere.
A welcome reception Thursday night in the magnificent historic book-lined Mortlock Chamber at the State Library set the relaxed and welcoming tone for the exhibition and one on one pre-scheduled meetings at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Friday with reports from visitors and exhibitors alike revealing a strong level of future business opportunities.
A gala dinner on Friday night at the superb new dining facility at one of the world’s most famous cricket grounds - Adelaide Oval was a fitting farewell to the international party who departed Saturday morning whilst the Australian contingent split into four groups for familiarisation trips to either The Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills or Kangaroo Island.
Destination SA 2011 featured
- A record 50 hosted buyers from interstate, Asia and New Zealand
- 50 South Australian buyers
- A record 48 South Australian exhibitors
- The largest media ever contingent from Australia and Asia
Highlights included:
- a stay at the Iconic Southern Ocean Lodge, where guests combined ultimate luxury with nature experiences courtesy of Exceptional KI. Guests even enjoyed
- a private quad bike expedition coming face to face with Kangaroos and Eagles in the process.
- a private cooking class at Sticky Rice cooking school in the Adelaide Hills.
- Hands on culinary experience guided by Master Chefs at Chapel Hill Retreat McLaren Vale.
- Hands on photography experience in the McLaren Vale
- Chocovino wine and chocolate matching experience at Hahndorf Hill winery
- A cooking demonstration and gourmet lunch courtesy of the famous Beer family in the Barossa Valley
- Outdoor rustic dining experiences in the Barossa Valley and Kangaroo Island
Team wine blending competition at Chateau Tanunda Estate in Barossa Valley.
The Adelaide Convention Bureau utilised Destination SA to launch the final phase of its Incentives Adelaide programme which include:
- Details of the programme to be uploaded in Chinese to the Bureau’s website.
- A compilation video comprising highlights of all Incentive Adelaide itineraries to be available for download by organisations and tour operators
- A regular e-letter updating the latest developments in tourism facilities, activities and destinations
Destination SA resulted in some $41m economic impact for the state of South Australia in 2010 and Adelaide Convention Bureau CEO Damien Kitto hopes this may reach a figure of $50m following the 2011 event.
