If you’ve ever had a bartender remember your favourite drink, a retail worker go the extra mile, or a waiter make you feel like a regular on your very first visit, it turns out you’re not imagining things.
Adelaide has officially been crowned Australia’s best city for hospitality by MoneySuperMarket, ranking 19th in the world for customer service and standing alone as the only Australian city to crack the global top 20.
The recognition celebrates more than great restaurants and places to stay. It shines a spotlight on the people behind Adelaide’s hospitality scene, from chefs and bar staff to hotel teams, cellar doors and local pubs, who help make visitors feel genuinely welcome.
“Being the only Australian city in the global top 20 for hospitality customer service reflects what visitors have been discovering about Adelaide for some time,” shared the Adelaide Economic Development Agency team. “What this ranking measured was how people are treated, and that’s the part we’re proudest of. Adelaide offers a unique combination of world-class food and wine, major events, cultural experiences and genuine South Australian hospitality, all within a compact and highly accessible city.”
The team said Adelaide’s biggest strength isn’t just the quality of its attractions, but how easy they are to enjoy.
“What makes Adelaide different is not just the quality of its experiences, but how effortlessly visitors can enjoy them. Visitors can experience more in less time, whether that’s dining at award-winning restaurants, attending a festival, exploring our laneways or venturing to nearby wine regions.”
The recognition really is a testament to the people and businesses that bring Adelaide to life every day. From hospitality operators and tourism businesses to event organisers, cultural institutions and the wider community, each plays a role in creating the welcoming experiences visitors remember.
Adelaide, Australia
Unlike many tourism awards, the AEDA team said this recognition was driven by the people who matter most, visitors themselves.
“What makes this one special is that it came from customers rather than a judging panel. Independent validation of how our people look after visitors carries a lot further than anything we can say about ourselves.”
Recognition like this helps take Adelaide’s profile to the next level nationally and internationally at a time when competition for visitors, major events and investment is stronger than ever.
As Adelaide continues to be one of Australia’s most exciting destinations for food, wine, festivals and culture, this latest accolade shines a light on what keeps people coming back to Adelaide, and the warm welcome that comes with it.
The world’s friendliest cities for customer service
- Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Liverpool, United Kingdom
- Paris, France
- Dublin, Ireland
- Montreal, Canada
- Vienna, Austria
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Bristol, United Kingdom
- Belfast, United Kingdom
- Leeds, United Kingdom
- Glasgow, United Kingdom
- San Diego, United States
- Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
- Cardiff, United Kingdom
- Phoenix, United States
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Adelaide, Australia
- Prague, Czech Republic
For more information, click here.
