Last night a very excited Fringe team attended the South Australian Tourism Awards where Adelaide Fringe was awarded the winner of the Major Festival and Events category for 2022. Adelaide Fringe signature project for 2022, Sky Song also took home the top prize in the Festival and Events category.

Both Festival and Events categories recognise tourism leisure festivals, events and exhibitions that enhance the profile, awareness and appeal of the destination they are held in as well as creating economic impact, increased visitation and community involvement.

Adelaide Fringe continues to be a major economic driver for SA generating $74.9 million in expenditure in 2022. More than 32,000 tourists flocked to Fringe from all over Australia in 2022 with the spend per tourist almost quadrupling in the last 6 years from $607 per person in 2017 to $2,258 per person in 2022. 

The tourism impact of Adelaide Fringe in 2022 also included 178,055 visitor bed nights with interstate and international visitors and artists that utilised South Australian accommodation during the festival. First Nations art drone show for Adelaide Fringe 2022, Sky Song drove more than 6,000 local and interstate tourists to McLaren Vale to see the spectacle.

Adelaide Fringe Director and CEO Heather Croall said, “My team and I are over the moon to have won both Festival and Events categories. Adelaide Fringe is proving itself to be an invaluable driver of tourism to South Australia that has a significant impact on our economy and it’s wonderful to be acknowledged for this”.

“It’s fantastic to see Sky Song recognised for its impact on tourism with 39,661 people travelling down to McLaren Vale to see the First Nations drone show.” 

“It’s a testament to the team and collaborators at Adelaide Fringe and everyone who participates in making Adelaide Fringe an unforgettable experience each year”, said Heather.

A big thank you to Celestial, Nancy Bates, Archie Roach, Electric Fields, Dusty Feet Mob, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Richard Hamilton and Leconfield Wines, APY Arts Collective, Iwiri Choir, Major Moogy Sumner, Jack Buckskin, Mali Isabel, Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody, Gluttony, Novatech, Cactus Cactus Sound, Institute of Drone Technology, SATC, British Council, RISE Fund and Adelaide Fringe staff, board members and volunteers.

On a winning streak, last week Adelaide Fringe also won People's Choice for Best Festival in Australia in the Wotif Uniquely Aussie Awards.