Local Operators Help Shape the Future of Tourism in the Fleurieu
Work is now underway on a new Destination Management Plan (DMP) for the Fleurieu Peninsula, an important regional project led by Fleurieu Peninsula Tourism. The DMP will replace the current Regional Visitor Strategy 2025 and align with the refreshed South Australian Tourism Plan 2030. Its purpose: to set a shared direction for tourism across the region, balancing great visitor experiences with the needs of local communities and the places we care for.
The first Industry and Community Engagement Workshop was held on 2 February at McCracken Country Club, and Alexandrina businesses showed up strongly. Operators represented included Merilli1885, BIG4 Mount Compass, Ginny Pig Distillery, Kool Tours, Foodbuilder, Home of Plenty, Kimbolton, Lake Breeze, Shaw Family Vintners, and the Langhorne Creek Grape and Wine Association – a fantastic snapshot of our region’s diverse visitor offering.
The session was also a great chance for local operators to connect with Amanda Hunt from the Office for Small and Family Business, one of our key partners, supporting capability building, business resilience and growth across Alexandrina.
With planning well underway, the workshop focused on gathering insights directly from operators, including:
- The challenges they’re facing
- Opportunities to grow and strengthen the visitor economy
- Their aspirations for the future
- What success looks like for Alexandrina and the wider Fleurieu.
This input will help ensure the DMP reflects the priorities, identity and ambitions of our regional tourism community, and that future investment and advocacy efforts are directed where they can have the greatest positive impact.
Next up is a second engagement session in McLaren Vale, then a survey, offering another chance for businesses to share their views. We will keep local businesses updated as the project progresses.