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Boost for Eyre Peninsula Tourism

A NEW rewards card capitalising on the booming seafood and aquaculture industries on South Australia's Eyre Peninsula will strengthen the region's tourism potential, according to its local tourism body.
The 'Seafood and Beyond Rewards Card', launched last month, offers visitors the opportunity to experience first hand the journey of seafood from the sea to the restaurant.
Tourism Eyre Peninsula Regional Marketing Manager Shaun De Bruyn said the region was already experiencing strong tourism growth and the Seafood and Beyond Reward Card would entice even more visitors.
"The region is already popular with tourists - 13 per cent of all visitor nights in regional South Australia were spent on Eyre Peninsula in the year to March 2007," he said.
"The rewards card focuses on the best attributes of our region - its seafood and coastal experiences - to raise the bar even higher."
Visitors can use the card - which retails for $89 - to experience tours (worth more than $100) and collect rewards points at businesses along the renowned Seafood and Aquaculture Trail on the Eyre Peninsula.
Forty-six businesses along the trail have joined forces with Tourism Eyre Peninsula to take part in the rewards programme, including tours, accommodation, eateries, seafood outlets and other attractions.
Highlights of the trail include watching the farming of southern bluefish tuna, abalone, crayfish, prawns and shark, as well as the opportunity to taste mouth-watering seafood along the way.
"Observing southern bluefin tuna, which can be worth as much as $5,000 a fish is an amazing experience," Mr De Bruyn said.
"The seafood industry is a key economic contributor for the Eyre Peninsula as it produces more than 65 per cent of the state's seafood.
"Industries involved in the rewards programme vary from multi-million operations to small breeding programmes and family-run businesses. We have received fantastic support from the region in developing this innovative as they recognise the value of tourism to the area."
The Seafood and Rewards Card offers:

Premium seafood tastings, tours and other special offers
Reward points for every $10 spent
10 per cent discount on accommodation, attractions and other tours
Rewards at local restaurants and eateries
An opportunity to purchase world-class seafood direct from the producer
A smart card to allow visitors to access their benefits

"It is an exciting time for tourism in the region. Along with initiatives such as the Seafood and Rewards Card, we have a range of new developments that will further enhance our reputation as an exceptional holiday destination," Mr De Bruyn said.
The four-star Port Lincoln Hotel is one of the new developments and is due to open in December. The $45 million project will be the largest hotel in the Eyre Peninsula, with 111 rooms and is expected to create more than 100 jobs for the region.
"The Eyre Peninsula has been in need of a significant hotel and this development confirms the confidence investors have in the regions' tourism industry and provides valuable employment opportunities," Mr De Bruyn said.
Other developments across the region include the $6.5 million redevelopment of the Best Western Ceduna Foreshore Hotel/Motel, which was unveiled in August.