In a significant achievement for Adelaide Fringe, the festival was awarded for Excellence in Accessible Tourism at the 2023 Australian Tourism Awards last night. This award, introduced just last year, honours businesses that excel in accommodating the accessibility needs of their visitors, highlighting the crucial role of inclusive tourism.

This accolade joins a growing list of recognitions for Adelaide Fringe, including being named the Major Festival and Events category winner at the 2022 South Australian Tourism Awards, and securing the Best Festival title in the 2022 Uniquely Aussie Awards presented by Wotif. Adelaide Fringe strives to be the most inclusive festival in the world, in 2023 Adelaide Fringe became the first annual event in Australia to sell more than one million tickets and is currently on track to exceed this milestone again in 2024.

Adelaide Fringe believes this phenomenal growth in tickets over recent years is the result of significant effort from the organisation in making Australia’s biggest arts festival accessible for all.  

Adelaide Fringe has been proactive in enhancing accessibility, with initiatives such as training staff to recognize hidden disabilities, installing visual communication boards and hearing loops at box offices, creating additional venue accessibility videos, providing social stories for venues, and offering sensory support for Fringe-run events.

In preparation for this year's festival, Adelaide Fringe also proudly became the first major festival or event in South Australia to join WE’RE EQUAL – a pledge by South Australian businesses and organisations to champion equality and stand against discrimination.

As the 2024 festival approaches its conclusion tomorrow, it's anticipated that the event has attracted over 55,000 interstate and international visitors, an increase from 45,000 the previous year, reaffirming its status as a significant contributor to South Australia's economy. Preliminary figures indicate a boost in hotel occupancy rates in the Adelaide CBD compared to the same period last year, despite a 5% increase in accommodation availability.

Director and CEO of Adelaide Fringe, Heather Croall AM said, “being recognised for our impact on tourism not just in South Australia but nationally is extremely meaningful, and this Award makes us even more motivated to become the most inclusive festival in the world. Adelaide Fringe is undoubtedly a national tourism destination so it’s incredible to be recognised in this way with this Award. This award is a testament to the team, who are fully dedicated to delivering a world class festival for artists and audiences alike. I encourage anyone who hasn’t experienced Fringe to start planning a trip to South Australia for 2025!”.