In a major tourism boost, one state is offering ridiculously cheap return flights between the UK and Australia.
South Australia is making way for working holiday makers from the United Kingdom and Ireland, offering them $17.60 return flights into the state.
The incredibly cheap international flights are a ploy to entice more young travellers to visit and work in the recently voted most liveable city in Australia.
It aims to help fill employment gaps and skill shortages in the state as well as boost tourism.
The South Australian Tourism Commission campaign will offer 200 return flights to Adelaide from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh and Dublin for just £10, or $17.60 AUD, on Qatar Airways services.
The heavily discounted return flights will be available through UK tour operator Trailfinders.
To be eligible for the scheme, the British or Irish citizens must be able to prove they have a working holiday visa, be able to travel to Adelaide before September 30 this year and purchase a holiday starter pack via Trailfinders.
Travellers interested in the scheme can register their interest online ahead of ticket sales opening in May.
Back in 2019, before the world was rocked by the global Covid-19 pandemic, about 27,000 people on working holiday visitors generated $47 million in the visitor economy for the state as they were employed across the hospitality, tourism and primary industry sectors.
Australian Hotels Association general manager Ian Horne said the “clever” strategy would draw more attention to SA and was a much-needed step closer to reopening the state’s backpacker market.
“We want to attract these young people to come to South Australia. We know when they come, they not only work here, they additionally stay and spend as tourists,” he said.
“They also act as ambassadors for Adelaide and South Australia – telling their friends back home about all the great opportunities we have for work and play here.”
Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said it was important that SA actively encouraged young workers to travel to the state and help fill much-needed job vacancies.
“Our tourism operators have missed having international visitors on their tours and experiences, and booking up accommodation, and they’ve also missed the backpacker workforce and the vibrancy they bring,” she said.
“In turn, we know these young people have missed travelling and seeing South Australia.
“Whether it’s in our bars, restaurants, wineries and hotels, or on our outback stations and farms, there are so many ways that Brits and Irish citizens can work in Adelaide and across regional South Australia, helping to not only fill roles but provide an economic and cultural exchange benefit which advantages both sides of the globe.”
