SA tourism remains under assault from multiple angles
The Tourism Business Activity Barometer recorded its lowest result in the history of the survey (since 2010) outside of the COVID-19 pandemic in June quarter 2026, with more than 70% of businesses reporting weaker activity in the quarter. Ongoing geopolitical conflict and environmental headwinds, combined with a domestic cost of living crisis continue to hamstring the South Australia tourism industry.
While this Barometer shows that tourism businesses in South Australia continue to do it extremely tough, some are taking the opportunity to investment in their business (with the investment index moving into positive sentiment). And while still negative, the future business outlook has improved from last quarter.
The recent resumption of hostilities in the Middle East represents a material risk to the future. However, ever the optimist, the tourism industry is hoping for brighter horizons in the near future.