Grey nomads heading north from Port Augusta

Call to improve tourist facilities

Communities miss out
on grey nomad dollar, warns leading economist

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A LEADING academic has warned that regional communities in South Australia's far north are missing out on the much-needed tourist dollar, particularly from grey nomads.

Associate professor Michael O’Neill, who is executive director of the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies (SACES), has emphasised that the growing tourism sector presents a "fantastic opportunity".

The respected economist has suggested communities should improve their caravan parks, beach facilities and other attractions such as old halls and heritage buildings.

"They should be getting and hanging on to the grey nomads that are passing through," he said.

A SACES report said tourists supported about 300 tourism businesses in the region.

"There is growth in through traffic from caravanners and grey nomads, especially via Port Augusta which is the central point for east-west travel," it pointed out.

They travelled up through the north of the state into Alice Springs and beyond.

"Lack of basic tourist infrastructure in outback areas ‒ e.g. toilets and signs, limited aviation infrastructure and unsealed tourist roads ‒ are barriers to the industry reaching its full potential," the reported added.

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