WITH SA tourism regions experiencing record-breaking occupancy rates, a further 12 regional tourism businesses have received state government grants to expand - bringing the total funding shared to $25 million.
The latest round of the Tourism Industry Development Fund grants include an expanded dining experience in the Flinders Ranges, new accommodation facilities in the Riverland and luxury accommodation in the Clare Valley.
All up, 42 projects have received funding, spread across all 11 of SA's tourism regions.
Premier Steven Marshall said the TIDF was giving regional economies a real boost, creating nearly 700 jobs to date.
"One of the key aims of the TIDF is to create new jobs and develop skills and with project applications flooding into the SA Tourism Commission, this number will continue to rise," he said.
"We know from the latest Tourism Research Australia data that January 2021 has been the best month since the pandemic began.
"Visits, nights and expenditure were the highest for a month since March 2020.
"These results are on the back of a strong intrastate market and recovering interstate market so it's great that we've got a pipeline of new and exciting experiences to keep visitors coming back to our regions.
"All of our 42 TIDF projects will give visitors a multitude of reasons to travel to South Australia and our regions to boost our economy."
Among the projects is $220,000 from Jim Barry Wines to go towards the $770,000 Mill Street Retreat project, building four, one-bedroom luxuty apartments in the Clare Valley.
Jim Barry Wines managing director Peter Barry said the TIDF funding would help attract high value travellers from throughout Australia, boosting the local economy.
"(The grant) has given us the confidence to take the gamble and develop this boutique accommodation experience in the Clare Valley," he said.
"The Mill Street Retreat will deliver new holiday apartments to a region which is desperately short on accommodation options, especially at the high end.
"It will also create new jobs and genuine employment pathways for the Clare Valley community. We have used local tradespeople throughout the development, further stimulating the local economy."
Another $28,517 will help with upgrades for a 1940 DH82 Tiger Moth and 8KCAB Decathlon owned by Adelaide BiPlanes on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
"Like every other tourism operator out there, once international and interstate borders closed, we lost almost all of our customers overnight which was absolutely devastating," Owner Martyn Smith said.
"With an inevitable slow return for the aviation industry we have fought hard as a family to keep our passion alive to share with others into the future.
"This will help us continue to offer the most beautiful, awe-inspiring and unique vintage experiences to local, interstate and international visitors to the Fleurieu Peninsula."
Receiving $92,860 is Flinders Food Co, Hawker, for expansions towards a $310,000 expansion, including a new outdoor alfresco dining area to cater for an additional 55 customers and function use, as well as a children's sensory play area.
In the Limestone Coast, the Mount Gambier Hotel will get $336,740 towards its $1.1 million refurbishment and upgrade to 16 rooms, while Mount Gambier Apartments will get $158,181 to construct two new luxury wheelchair accessible apartments.
Murray Bridge Tourist Park will be constructing three luxury self-contained cabins, including one with disability access, with the help of a $113,126 grant.
Also in the Clare Valley are two more accommodation options with the Pink Lake Tiny House building two tiny houses, two bell tents and shared guest facilities at Lochiel, while Bukirk Glamping, Stanley Flat, is also building a new tiny house, outdoor pool, entertaining space and welcome centre.
On the Eyre Peninsula, Deco Beach House will receive $119,405 towards the renovation of a Port Lincoln art deco house to cater for up to eight guests.
Oakwood Retreat in the Adelaide Hills will receive funding towards renovations on its boutique accommodation.
Lambert Estate Wines in the Barossa Valley will expand its site with a new VIP tasting room, a pizzeria and the estate of new estate trails for self-guided electric cart tours.
Riverland Classic Limousines will also receive $56,745.
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