'We are confident that the Indian Government will continue to be supportive for any programs and collaborations we are looking at in the future,' says Dana Urmonas, Regional Director (India & Southeast Asia), South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC).

SOUTH AUSTRALIA has been witnessing steady growth from the Indian market. According to the International Visitor Survey results released by the Tourism Research Australia, Indians travelling to South Australia has been increased to 18 per cent. This makes India the 8th largest source market for the State and the 3rd highest in terms of growth in arrivals during the year (2017).  In addition to this, spend by Indians visiting South Australia registered a significant increase amounting to AUD$37 million, that counts a jump by 33 per cent compared to last year. 

“A large focus for us in the last two years has been on building airline and trade partnerships, training the travel trade and rolling out digital marketing and PR programs. We have also been participating in the Indian Travel Mission organised by Tourism Australia year on year,” commented Dana Urmonas, Regional Director (India & Southeast Asia), South Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) in an interaction with BW Hotelier.

According to Urmonas, programs like the collaboration with Star Plus and Balaji for the shoot of 'Ye Hai Mohabbatein’ in Adelaide and surrounding regions in 2016 has played a pivotal role in building awareness within the State. “We have had successful relationships with our trade partners like Thomas Cook, Mercury Travels and Ottila in the last two years. They have been very supportive in coming up with programs to promote our key regions like Adelaide and Kangaroo Island and include these destinations in their itineraries for Indian travellers,” he added.

A large focus has been on building airline and trade partnerships, training programmes for the travel trade, digital marketing and PR programmes. In 2018, the SATC will focus on attracting honeymooners, families and independent travellers, especially cricket lovers, between the age of 25-45 years in the primary markets of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

“We have seen that the South Australian Government and Indian Government share a positive relationship in terms of tourism. We are confident that the Indian Government will continue to be supportive for any programs and collaborations we are looking at in the future,” Urmonas further stated.