South Australian Tourism launches new online platform

The South Australian Tourism Commission has launched SATV, a new online platform aiming to deliver images and information on South Australia into living rooms across Australia during COVID-19.

As borders and movement are restricted around the world and people’s lives are confined to virtual spaces, the South Australian Tourism Commission’s SATV features local tourism operators and businesses that have adapted how they operate during COVID-19 restrictions to offer new innovative ways to still purchase, experience and enjoy their product or service, from the confines of people’s homes.

The platform will also act as a live-content hub, showcasing some of South Australia’s landmark regions and charismatic operators, keeping couped-up travellers and the community inspired while in self-isolation or adhering to social distancing rules.

South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said the new campaign is a simple but effective way of keeping South Australian tourism businesses top of mind.

Premier Marshall advised “these are unprecedented times and they call for innovative solutions to help keep critical industries like tourism afloat.

“The SATC has taken action to leverage those South Australian businesses that are finding practical ways to tackle this pandemic and help keep people in jobs, and to continue to promote our great state for when travel restrictions are lifted and the sector is ready to rebound.”

South Australian Tourism Commission Chief Executive, Rodney Harrex said now is more important than ever to get behind the state’s tourism industry to give them the best chance at rebounding on the other side of this crisis. 

Harrex noted “Tourism is a key driver of our state’s economy and it’s also one of the hardest hit by COVID-19, as travel worldwide has come to a standstill.

“What makes our sector so strong, is the resilience and innovation of the thousands of tourism businesses and we’ve seen some incredible examples of operators adapting their business models to keep them afloat and to keep their people in jobs.

“From virtual wine bars, online music performances, to locally sourced grocery boxes, SATV is about getting behind our local operators doing great things in times of crisis, connecting them with potential consumers, and reminding South Australians of the importance of buying local.

“While we can’t promote travel to or across South Australia at this point in time, SATV is bringing South Australia to couped-up, would-be travellers so that our state and all that it has to offer, is at the top of the list of must-see destinations as soon as it is safe to travel again.”

At an incredibly tough time for the tourism industry, in which visitors can’t travel to or in South Australia, SATV brings South Australia to would-be visitors, with specially curated content hosted and guided by AFL Crows’ captain Rory Sloane and his TV presenter wife Bel Sloane for consumers to stay connected to South Australia and its regions and businesses.

Rory Sloane said that he is an avid traveller through South Australia and enthuses “I’m so lucky that I get to call South Australia home, I’m even luckier now that I get to share some of my favourite parts with anyone that wants to come along for the ride. We’re obviously disappointed to not be able to play AFL, but in the meantime, I’m looking forward to supporting SATV. I admire how many businesses are adapting what they’re offering, and I’m keen to support however I can.

“Bel and I are so excited to virtually “share” our favourite spots to eat, drink and explore – all from the comfort of our own home. We hope that this enables people to support these local businesses now, and then check out South Australia for themselves when they’re ready to travel again.”

SATV will showcase content from South Australia’s wide range of businesses that champion the destination’s best qualities. Viewers can learn winemaking with the Willy Wonka of viticulture, Chester Osborn, and purchase their wines; cook alongside one of Adelaide’s best chefs, Africola’s Duncan Welgemoed, as he tackles everyday pantry ingredients to make a restaurant quality dish and order takeaway from Africola for the first time in the restaurant’s history; or simply unwind to a picturesque backdrop of South Australia.

Content will be updated weekly on southaustralia.com/satv, on the SATC’s community Facebook Page #SeeSouthAustraliaFromHome, and on @southaustralia’s Instagram.

Image courtesy of Africola