Cemetery proving to be a tourist hotspot

West Terrace Cemetery posts record visitor numbers

Visitor numbers to Australia’s oldest operating capital city cemetery – West Terrace Cemetery – have reached an all-time high as cemetery tourism continues to grow in popularity.

New figures released by the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority show that West Terrace Cemetery welcomed 11,757 tourism-based visitors in the 2013/14 financial year, which is the highest number of visitors on record.

The result also represents a 48% increase on visitor numbers to the State Heritage-listed cemetery in 2012/13, and is almost triple the number of visitors in 2010/11.

Adelaide Cemeteries Authority Chief Executive Officer Robert Pitt says the major spike in tourist numbers to West Terrace Cemetery is due to the popularity of new guided tours and self-guided walking trails for the public.

“As one of the nation’s oldest cemeteries, West Terrace Cemetery is an iconic South Australian landmark which more and more people are now appreciating as a fantastic visitor destination,” he said.

“The Adelaide Cemeteries Authority has worked hard to develop the historical significance of West Terrace Cemetery and the many remarkable stories of those buried, who have each contributed in some way to the state’s rich past.

“In particular, we are extremely proud of the success of our new guided tours and self-guided trails through the cemetery, which have undoubtedly been the driving force behind the record visitor numbers we’re now experiencing.”

There are five self-guided themed trails that visitors can walk at West Terrace Cemetery, including the “Heritage Highlights”, “Beliefs, Attitudes and Customs”, “Trailblazing Women”, “Stories of the Everyday” and “Natural Heritage” trails.

There are also guided tours every Tuesday and Sunday, while a new night series every Friday evening – incorporating a theatrical sound and light experience with period actors – is already proving extremely popular since its launch in May this year.

“Word-of-mouth has been a key factor behind the increase in visitor numbers, while recommendations we’ve received through major publications such as the Lonely Planet guidebooks have helped generate enormous interest from interstate and international visitors,” said Mr Pitt.

“West Terrace Cemetery has also won several tourism awards in recent times recognising what we offer to visitors.

“And in 2012 West Terrace became the first cemetery in Australia to be recognised under the Australian Tourism Accreditation Program, which acknowledges tourism businesses that meet Australian quality assurance standards.”

Mr Pitt says the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority continues to pride itself on being the state’s most innovative provider of cemetery, burial and cremation services, while providing welcoming places for people to visit all year round.

“Our guided tours and self-guided trails of West Terrace Cemetery are a great example of our commitment to cater for the living, not just the dead,” he said.

“The Adelaide Cemeteries Authority is constantly seeking to enhance all of its cemeteries – not just West Terrace – and provide hospitable places to celebrate life and learn about others who have gone before us.”

The Adelaide Cemeteries Authority is South Australia’s leading provider of cemetery, burial and cremation services, and is responsible for the administration and maintenance of West Terrace Cemetery, Enfield Memorial Park, Cheltenham Cemetery and Smithfield Memorial Park.

For more information about the Adelaide Cemeteries Authority visit www.aca.sa.gov.au.

Further information: Contact Tony Amato, ACA Marketing and Communications Team Leader, on 8139 7438 or 0403 010 131.

Issued by Hughes Public Relations: Contact Kieran Hall on 0422 147 151 or kieran@hughespr.com.au
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