South Australia is fast becoming the nation's hottest travel destination with a record number of visitors experiencing its vibrant city and unique regions. Tourism expenditure in South Australia has reached a record $6.3 billion, driven by an increase in domestic and international visits.

The data released by Tourism Research Australia shows domestic expenditure was the highest contributor to the SA visitor economy, increasing to $5.4 billion, up 14% ($678 million) comparing December 2015 to December 2016.

Visitor numbers are also at a record high with 6.2 million domestic overnight visits (up 6.1%), while the number of international visits grew by 5.8% to reach 432,000.

South Australia is consistently outperforming national growth rates, across all categories. The results complement the recent International Visitor Survey figures, which showed international visitors pumped a massive $971 million into the State in the past year.

Its growing reputation as Australia's food and wine capital is drawing people to South Australia from all around the world. Between 6 - 8 April, the world's most influential culinary personalities, the World's 50 Best Restaurants Academy Chairs, will spend two days in the State to see why it's fast becoming one of Australia's culinary powerhouses.  

Visitors are also being attracted to South Australia for its major events, which are as diverse as boxing at Adelaide Oval to world-class Opera at the Festival Centre. Mad March has wrapped up and the State is preparing itself for Tasting Australia (30 April-7 May) and Adelaide Cabaret Festival (9-24 June).

The great results comes timely off the back of being listed in Lonely Planet's Top 10 Regions to Visit in 2017 and to be the No.1 Place to Be in 2017 by emerging travel website Trip.com.

Adelaide was the most popular spot by domestic visitors (2.5 million), followed by the coastal and vineyard views of the Fleurieu Peninsula (700,000).