AirAsia X's Arrival into Adelaide will Boost Port Lincoln Tourism

The newest international airline flying into South Australia, Air Asia X, has dared millions of potential travellers to cage dive with Great Whites and speed-eat Coffin Bay oysters.

More than 10,000 Malaysian and Chinese travellers have already booked seats on the new Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide route operated by AirAsia X, which touched down in Adelaide for the first time this morning.

Tourism Minister, Leon Bignell, says AirAsia X's low-cost flights make South Australia a more affordable and appealing destination for travellers in key markets.

"Since July, we have been promoting our key tourism experiences throughout Malaysia and other parts of Asia," Mr Bignell said.

"Now we are launching the next phase of marketing activity, an online campaign challenging Malaysians to explore South Australia through an online campaign."

Travellers will be invited to submit a 30 second video telling the world why they should be given the opportunity to come to South Australia and compete in one of six challenges.

The Port Lincoln challenge - Deep Blue, Great White - will see the winners come face to face with a Great White Shark.

A heart rate monitor will be strapped to each competitor and the one with the lowest average heart rate during the cage dive will be crowned the winner.

The other challenges include a treasure hunt in the Barossa, a wildlife safari on Kangaroo Island, a busking competition in Adelaide and a contest to see who can eat the most Coffin Bay oysters in five minutes.

Mr Bignell said AirAsia X has a strong track record of increasing demand for destinations when they enter a new market.

"Low cost airlines like AirAsia X drive volume sales which result in a greater number of visitors."

This week the travel bible Lonely Planet named Adelaide in the top 10 cities in the world to visit in 2014 which is sure to generate thousands of extra visitors to South Australia."

AirAsia X is expected to generate more than $30 million in local economic activity each year and create more than 170 jobs.

"AirAsia X's arrival means there has been an 83 per cent increase in the number of seats coming directly into Adelaide on international carriers since Jay Weatherill became Premier just two years ago" Mr Bignell said.