Nathan wrote:The problem with a theme park, is that there's nothing about it that can't be duplicated elsewhere. Why on earth would someone from say, Europe, come to Adelaide on holiday - to visit a theme park, which had 90% of the same kind of attractions as one in another European country?
Having long since left behind the age of 10, I can assure you that the Barossa and it's kind are far far better attractions than anything Disney Inc. can dream up. (and I say this having been a keen theme park rollercoaster lover).
International tourists go to the Gold Coast for the beaches, the "weather", and easy access to the Barrier Reef. Australian tourists go there for the theme parks. Whilst you could argue it being something to do for locals, realistically - how often would you go to such a place? I'd say once a year, tops, until you've been 3 or so times and the novelty completely wears off.
Adelaide needs interesting things to do. Not manufactured things to do.
If there was a decent theme park or better still waterpark in SA, I'd get an annual pass and be there a couple of times a month, more in summer.
I agree with your point that tourists can get theme parks in a lot of countries, but I do nevertheless think that a lot of tourists, especially families with children but not just them, see theme parks as a massive reason to choose a particular place. The idea being to come to SA and whilst here go to the theme park, but also see things like the Barossa etc.
I'm not suggesting a theme park is all SA needs either. To be a really big tourist attraction it would also need at least a few really good resort style hotels. We do have some quite good hotels in Glenelg and in Adelaide city centre, but only a couple and they are not resort style as they have no outdoor pools or decent entertainment. They are really designed primarily for business travellers rather than tourists. There's a place for that sort of hotel too of course especially in the CBD, but it's not going to bring in lots of tourists.
