The stars of South Australia’s tourism industry gathered in Adelaide last night to celebrate their achievements at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards Gala Dinner. The annual event recognised the people and businesses driving a sector now worth almost $10 billion to the state’s economy.
From nature-based experiences to inventive festivals and creative marketing campaigns, the winners reflected the diversity and depth of tourism across the state. Twenty-six categories were awarded, highlighting the skill, imagination and resilience of operators who continue to raise the bar for visitors.
Adelaide Botanic Gardens took home top honours as Major Tourist Attraction, capping off a strong year for the venue. Its Chihuly in the Botanic Garden exhibition also won Gold for Tourism Marketing & Campaigns and Bronze for Major Festivals & Events, reinforcing its place as one of Adelaide’s most loved attractions.
Regional operators also shone brightly. On the Eyre Peninsula, the Streaky Sounds Music Festival struck Gold in the Festivals & Events category, while the Fleurieu Peninsula swept the Excellence in Food Tourism awards. These regional wins reinforced the strong community and creative spirit found beyond the city.
This year’s awards attracted a wave of new contenders, with 28 first-time entrants reaching finalist status. Their recognition points to a fresh generation of operators bringing new ideas and energy to South Australian tourism. Almost 90 per cent of this year’s winners are Quality & Sustainable Tourism Accredited, reflecting a shared commitment to responsible practices and high standards of service.
The winners from categories one to twenty-six will now go on to represent South Australia at the Australian Tourism Awards, which will be held in March 2026 in Fremantle, Western Australia.
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said the variety of winners captured the spirit of a state that continues to impress travellers from around the world. She praised the hard work of thousands of people who make up South Australia’s visitor economy, which provides jobs for more than 40,000 people.
“The diversity of winners at the 2025 South Australian Tourism Awards is a terrific demonstration of what makes the State a must-visit destination worldwide,” Ms Bettison said. “The passion and dedication of everyone who is part of our visitor economy enables our tourism sector to be the success it is, contributing close to $10 billion each year while providing meaningful jobs for more than 40,000 South Australians.”
She congratulated the award recipients and thanked them for helping to make South Australia “an inclusive and welcoming destination of choice.”
Tourism Industry Council SA Chief Executive Shaun de Bruyn said the awards remain an important way to recognise excellence and inspire others to lift their standards.
“Congratulations to the winners, medallists and finalists for their ongoing commitment to excellence,” Mr de Bruyn said. “These awards provide a platform to showcase the exceptional achievements, talent and innovation in South Australia’s tourism industry. I applaud the drive these operators have to deliver exemplary visitor experiences and set benchmarks for themselves.”
He added that this year’s winners reflect the passion and authenticity that make South Australia stand out on the national tourism map.
The South Australian Tourism Awards are supported by the state government through the South Australian Tourism Commission. A full list of winners is available on the Tourism Industry Council SA website.
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