Earlier this week it was announced a new eat-street style precinct – NightQuarter – will open on the Sunshine Coast later this year.
NightQuarter will feature street food, a night market and entertainment – a business model that has proven to be hugely successful in our capital cities.
In what is a massive vote of confidence for our region, NightQuarter’s owners chose to relocate their business to Birtinya from the Gold Coast.
In a world where holidaymakers are always looking for something ‘new’, this is great news for the region.
Innovative businesses like this help drive the Sunshine Coast forward.
I’ve said before that evolution is key for staying ahead in the game and keeping up with tourist demand.
Whether it’s a hot new food precinct, boutique accommodation provider, attraction or eatery, new products give visitors reason to return and encourage visitation from new markets.
Lately we have seen a number of new openings across the Coast, including the announcement of The Wharf Tavern in Mooloolaba set to reopen as The Savvy Squire, the launch of ‘Camp Croc Hunter’ to open at Australia Zoo in 2020 and the recent $440 million redevelopment of Sunshine Plaza.
The latest National Visitor Survey statistics released for the year end March 2019 showed overnight visitor expenditure was up 22.7 per cent to a record $2.5 billion.
These visitors are not just spending their money on accommodation and car hire, they are eating out with their family, exploring our shopping precincts and visiting attractions.
Tourism is a pillar of the local economy which either directly or indirectly supports so many of the innovative businesses we have here on the Sunshine Coast.
To show our support, this year Visit Sunshine Coast has joined Sunshine Coast Council at platinum level to become a Major Partner for the Sunshine Coast Business Awards.
The Awards will be held on 9 November, the same week at the Queensland Tourism Awards, Destination Q and Destination IQ are held on the Sunshine Coast for the first time.
Competition in the tourism sector is intense, so it is critical that we foster a culture of excellence, and by supporting awards such as this – we hope to send a message that on the Sunshine Coast we welcome and reward the best of the best.
