Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), the State’s peak tourism body, is calling on passionate tourists and locals to make their voices heard and vote for South Australia’s best tourism town.
The SA Top Tourism Town Awards recognise South Australian towns that offer amazing visitor experiences and are committed to increasing tourism in their region.
This year, there are 20 towns competing for the honours across three categories: Top, Small and Tiny Tourism Town.
All 20 towns are eligible for the coveted People’s Choice Award, presented to the town that receives the most consumer votes.
TiCSA CEO, Shaun de Bruyn, is excited to see South Australian towns taking part in the program this year.
“Our regions are incredibly valuable to the State’s tourism industry, with over 40% of visitor expenditure in South Australia coming from our wonderful regions.”
“Not only are the Top Tourism Town Awards excellent for celebrating our regions but they also give them the opportunity to improve their tourism marketing and visitor experiences.”
Angela Evans, President of Top Tourism Town partner Local Government Association of South Australia (LGASA) notes the role of local councils in regional towns.
“Councils invest millions of dollars every year providing infrastructure to support tourism and the visitor economy and have worked hard in recent years to help local tourism and hospitality businesses survive the impacts of COVID-19.”
She added, “With the school holidays just around the corner, now is the perfect time for South Australians to get out and enjoy our regional areas, to support our towns and businesses, and to think about which spot they love visiting the most and why.”
Andy Glen, Chair of the SA Visitor Information Centre Network says the Network is proud to partner with TiCSA to shine the light on South Australia’s incredible tourism towns.
“These Awards present a great occasion for our regional towns to promote their unique offerings. South Australians are the best critics when it comes to home-grown tourism, so we encourage all South Aussies to get involved and vote for their favourite town.”
Vote for your favourite town and go into the running to win a two-night weekend getaway at a SA Council caravan park, valued at over $500.
People’s Choice Award voting closes on Monday 9 May 2022.
All category winners will be announced on Wednesday 18 May 2022.
To place your vote, visit: https://ticsa.com.au/industry-programs/sa-top-tourism-town/
Full list of shortlisted towns:
| Top Tourism Town (population >5,000) | |
| Town | Region |
| McLaren Vale | Fleurieu Peninsula |
| Renmark | Riverland |
| Port Adelaide | Adelaide |
| Hahndorf | Adelaide Hills |
| Gawler | Barossa |
| Murray Bridge | Murray River, Lakes & Coorong |
| Tanunda | Barossa |
| Aldinga and surrounds | Fleurieu Peninsula |
| Small Tourism Town (population 1,500 – 5,000) | |
| Town | Region |
| Coober Pedy | Flinders Ranges & Outback |
| Wallaroo | Yorke Peninsula |
| Angaston | Barossa |
| Ceduna | Eyre Peninsula |
| Stirling | Adelaide Hills |
| Goolwa | Fleurieu Peninsula |
| Tiny Tourism Town (population <1,500) | |
| Town | Region |
| Robe | Limestone Coast |
| Quorn | Flinders Ranges & Outback |
| Elliston | Eyre Peninsula |
| Eden Valley | Barossa |
| Meningie | Murray River Lakes & Coorong |
| Langhorne Creek | Fleurieu Peninsula |
The South Australian Top Tourism Towns Program is delivered by TiCSA, with support from the South Australia Visitor Information Centre Network, Local Government Association of South Australia, SA Life, fiveAA, Adelady, Adelaide Airport, and Shop Local SA.
Image: Port Willunga Jetty, Aldinga & Surrounds