Winners list: 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards

Winners list: 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards
Edited by Travel Weekly


The winners of the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards have been revealed, featuring 31 category winners and four inductees to the coveted Hall of Fame.

The South Australian Tourism Awards program, delivered annually by the Tourism Industry Council South Australia (TiCSA), recognises business excellence and outstanding achievement in the state’s tourism industry.

Winners were announced at a Gala Dinner on Friday 3 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre.

This year, four businesses across the state were honoured with induction into the South Australian Tourism Awards Hall of Fame for winning gold in their respective categories for the third consecutive year:

  • The Cedars Hahndorf – Cultural Tourism
  • Bendleby Ranges – Adventure Tourism
  • Woodhouse Adventure Park – Unique Accommodation
  • Naiko Retreat – Self-contained Accommodation

Additionally, two businesses took home the Voters’ Choice Awards, determined through votes from their visitors, supporters, and local communities.

With nearly 20,000 votes cast across all finalists, the winners were:

  • Monarto Safari Park – Voters’ Choice Award for Experience and/or Service
  • BIG4 Renmark Riverfront Holiday Park – Voters’ Choice Award for Accommodation

The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Ian Hortne, the long-term CEO of the Australian Hotels Association SA, in recognition of his nearly four decades of advocacy and leadership within the industry.

Isabel Nietschke was recognised as the South Australian Young Achiever for demonstrating exceptional potential both through her industry engagement and impact, and academic pursuits at Flinders University.

TiCSA Chief Executive Officer, Shaun de Bruyn congratulated all of this year’s winners, medallists and finalists.

‘The South Australian Tourism Awards give us a stage to showcase the excellence, innovation and dedication of our industry,” he said.

“I am proud to recognise every entrant in this year’s South Australian Tourism Awards program as dedicated operators striving for excellence.”

Minister for Tourism, Zoe Bettison said the diversity and excellence of the winners demonstrate what makes South Australia a must-visit tourism destination.

“I congratulate all winners of the 2023 South Australian Tourism Awards, who represent the world-class calibre of our state’s tourism industry,” Bettison, said.

“With South Australia’s visitor economy at an all-time high of $9.9 billion, it is clear this could only be achieved through the innovation and dedication of operators across the state who deliver incredible offerings which entice visitors from all over to see South Australia.”

Winners from most categories will go on to represent South Australia in the national Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin next year.

The entire list of winners from the 2023 event can be viewed HERE.

Latest News

  • Women In Travel

Today is your last chance to enter Travel Weekly’s Women in Travel Awards

If you’ve been sitting on the fence about entering this year’s Women in Travel Awards, then now is your time to make the leap. The Women in Travel Awards highlights the incredible work of women within the travel industry and is open to female-identifying talent across all levels of their careers. It takes just 10 […]

  • Conferences
  • First Nations
  • Tourism

Indigenous tourism drives economic growth: The World Travel & Tourism Council finds

Indigenous tourism is projected to contribute US$67 billion ($AU100 billion) to the global economy by 2034, a landmark World Travel & Tourism Council has found. This economic boom is fuelled by increasing demand for authentic cultural experiences, in countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States, among others. The report showcases the sector’s role […]

  • Conferences
  • Tour Operators
  • Tourism

Perth’s Matagarup Zip+Climb becomes world’s first member of WTTC’s ‘Together in Travel’ for SMEs

Perth’s Matagarup Zip+Climb co-founder Ryan Mossny has been named the world’s first member of the World Travel & Tourism Council’s new ‘Together in Travel’ program for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME). Announced at the 2024 Global Summit in Perth (Boorloo), today the ‘Together in Travel’ program is a unique initiative aimed at providing support and […]