Adelaide Zoo has made South Australians proud by bringing home gold, as announced at the 2022 Qantas Australian Tourism Awards that took place in Sydney on Friday night.
The Australian Tourism Awards celebrate innovation and exceptional standards in tourism nationwide.
The prestigious awards that showcase the outstanding tourism businesses across Australia took place at Doltone House on Sydney's Darling Island and revealed the national winners for 2022.
75 awards overall were presented across 25 categories, with gold, silver and bronze awarded in each category.
Overall, seven South Australian tourism operators were rewarded and placed among the nation's best.
Federal Minister for Trade and Tourism, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, South Australian Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison and Tourism Australia's Managing Director Phillipa Harrison, were in attendance.
Adelaide Zoo took home the coveted gold in the Major Tourism Attraction category, recognising one of Adelaide's most iconic attractions for its unique behind-the-scenes experiences and commitment to sustainability and conservation.
This is the first time that a South Australian tourism organisation has ever charted in the top three in the Major Tourist Attractions category.
The win comes in the same year that Adelaide Zoo will celebrate its 140th birthday.
Zoos SA is a conservation charity with more than 45,000 members. They are a long established and treasured part of the South Australian community, having shared the wonder of SA's zoos since 1883.
Their purpose is to connect people with nature and save species from extinction with the aspiration to lead and inspire conservation action to support global biodiversity.
The Cedars Hahndorf and Woodhouse Activity Centre, both representing the Adelaide Hills region, were rewarded with silver in the Cultural Tourism and Unique Accommodation categories respectively.
Bronze medals went to Sequoia Lodge for New Tourism Business, Redwing Farm for Hosted Accommodation, Bendleby Ranges for Adventure Tourism, and Eos by SkyCity for 5 Star Luxury Accommodation.
Gold award winners from the 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards went on to represent the state at this prestigious event and went up against winners from Australia's states and territories.
Nominations for the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards open on Wednesday 22 March.
Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said having seven tourism operators recognised and rewarded for their hard work, their commitment, their products and the quality of their offerings on a national level is a great outcome and certainly one to be tremendously proud of.
"Tourism recovery has taken leaps and bounds in recent months and operators are reaping the rewards while we continue to see growth and record expenditure near or above pre-COVID levels within the tourism industry," Minister Bettison said.
"As we continue the journey towards recovery, our government's main focus will be to support the tourism sector across SA showcasing the diversity of activities and experiences available from the tourism businesses operating in Adelaide and in our regions."
CEO Zoos SA, Elaine Bensted said she could not be more delighted that Adelaide Zoo has won this award and in its 140th birthday year.
"It is the first time that a South Australian tourism organisation has ever charted in the top three in the Major Tourist Attractions category, let alone actually win," Ms Bensted said.
