Happy New Year from the Visit Sunshine Coast team!
This year it’s all systems go for tourism across the region, with several new events, operators and developments planned for 2019.
Topping the list is The Curated Plate, the Sunshine Coast’s own four-day culinary festival to be held for the first time this August.
The event is set to be the largest of its kind in Australia, celebrating the relationship between chef and producer and focusing on the key themes of produce and producers, sustainable practices, artisan culture and health and wellness.
Making it even easier for visitors – domestic and international – to get to the Sunshine Coast in 2019 will be the addition in March of another Qantas daily direct service from Sydney, which is scheduled perfectly to connect with international flight arrivals from Europe, America, Asia and the Pacific.
Also injecting a major boost into our tourist economy will be the record number of cruise ships expected to call into the Sunshine Coast in 2019.
In total, 13 cruise ships will visit the Coast from January to December this year, including Asia’s newest luxury liner, Explorer Dream.
The liner has confirmed six visits to the Coast, with travellers predominately from the Chinese market.
And on the sporting field, the NRL will bring a first-grade game to the Sunshine Coast for the first time this April, with South Sydney Rabbitohs set to clash with the New Zealand Warriors at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
With New Zealand our number one international tourist market, the match is sure to entice some Warriors fans from across the ditch and kick goals for Sunshine Coast tourism.