A Message from the Visitor Economy Team

Hi all,

It has been a notable month for Adelaide’s visitor economy, with thousands of guests embracing our city’s diverse experiences.

Adelaide’s hotel market had a strong August with occupancy at 72.4 per cent, which drove a 9.6 per cent lift in demand and revenue. Average Daily Rate (ADR) remained steady at $182. Major conferences such as CanvasCon and the ASEAN Business Forum pushed occupancy above 80 per cent, delivering thousands of delegate bed nights. 

Thanks to the Adelaide Economic Development Agency (AEDA)'s strategic collaboration with Business Events Adelaide, 1,300 Chinese incentive delegates visited our city—the largest group to visit since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A pilot Rundle Mall retail program ran alongside their visit and was designed to boost activation and spend, with plans to scale up for future groups. 

Meanwhile, we are entering the exciting design phase for the new Visitor Experience Centre at the State Library of South Australia. This comes alongside ongoing product development to grow Adelaide’s visitor economy. You can hear more of these initiatives at our upcoming Visitor Economy Forum.

As always, if you have any questions, we are always happy to help.

Thank you,
Gemma Nelson
AEDA Visitor Economy Team

Save the Date: Visitor Economy Forum Returns to the City 

Discover the latest visitor economy initiatives and access valuable data and insights at the AEDA Visitor Economy Forum. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the city’s tourism sector from leading industry experts. Speaker announcements and additional event details will be shared soon.

New Hotel Data Available

AEDA’s data and insights team has produced a new dashboard to assist businesses in understanding citywide hotel performance. Tap into key performance metrics such as total revenue, occupancy, rooms booked and average daily rate, all designed to help you drive your business forward.

Illuminating Hotel Numbers

City visitation numbers and demand for hotel rooms during Illuminate Adelaide this year outshone 2024 numbers, new AEDA data shows. New figures reveal night-time visits to the city during the event, which ran between 2 and 20 July 2025, rose six per cent in comparison to last year's numbers. 

Your Passport to Exciting Promotional Opportunities

AEDA has partnered with renowned leading destination publication Outlook Travel on its upcoming Adelaide Travel Guide—an opportunity for local tourism providers to showcase their offerings to a global audience of prospective visitors. Launching this December, the guide will be promoted across Outlook Travel’s media platforms, including its magazine, website, social media, EDMs and a tailored brochure. Tourism operators are invited to join the campaign and capitalise on this promotional opportunity. Register your interest to secure a place in this must-read guide. 

SATC Global Markets

Register now for SATC's Global Markets Industry Forum on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, at the National Wine Centre of Australia. Gain valuable industry insights, hear how South Australia resonates with global markets and engage with actionable strategies to shape your success in the year ahead.

ATDW Masterclass

The Western Adelaide Tourism Alliance has kindly extended the invitation for city businesses to attend its upcoming Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) masterclass. The event helps operators boost their online presence so they can stand out from the crowd. 

Tourism Operator Leverages ADL Fashion Week

Flamboyance Tours is making the most of the visitation boost afforded by ADL Fashion Week. Katina Vangopoulos is leading a two-hour walking tour showcasing the untold stories of Adelaide's fashion history as part of the festival program. Unlock new opportunities for your tourism business by tapping into Adelaide’s dynamic calendar of events and festivals. Contact AEDA's visitor economy team for more information. 

T 08 8203 7001
E tourism@aedasa.com.au
aedasa.com.au