The Sunshine Coast will host the tourism trifecta! Tourism industry leaders will gather this November for three key tourism events – The Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Indigenous Tourism Forum, the annual DestinationQ Forum and the Queensland Tourism Awards gala ceremony. We are delighted to welcome these events to be held at the new Sunshine Coast Convention Centre at Twin Waters.
In fact, the region’s event calendar and offering for business and leisure visitors has grown significantly over the past years providing the perfect opportunity to not only showcase our region as a tourism destination but also position the Sunshine Coast as the regional events capital of Australia.
It’s no secret, the Sunshine Coast excels in hosting sporting teams thanks to our ideal climate and range of ‘natural’ and built facilities. This weekend, more than 12,000 people are expected to visit and enjoy the surrounds of Mooloolaba Beach, recently voted the fourth best beach in Australia by TripAdvisor for the iconic Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival.
Other highlights for the 2019 calendar include return sporting events Netfest and the Volkswagen Golf Scramble to new first time events being staged such as the Spartan Race and South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors NRL game.
As a region, we have proven we can successfully host sporting events and increasingly this is spreading to a more diverse and balanced calendar of impressive music, cultural and food festivals.
Research indicates three-quarters of event attendees would not have gone to a destination, if not for an event. Also, for 57% of first-time visitors to the region, the event is the main reason for visiting and likewise for 69% of repeat visitors.
The economic impact of events is broad and far-reaching. They are worth tens of millions of dollars to our local economy each year and can often counteract a traditionally quiet tourism period to become a steady stream of visitation for operators and businesses. This is not only the boost to the tourism industry via accommodation, transport, food but can be costs associated with holding the event via equipment and service hire and contributing to the wider community.
In addition, the media, broadcast and digital exposure provided by events expands the audience further showcasing the region’s attractions and activities directly to consumers and potential future visitors.
Together with our tourism operators, council, major events board and wider community; we look forward to providing top class service for event participants and visitors during 2019 and invite the community to get involved and be part of the thrilling event action.
