What will this year have in store for the tourism sector? Some of these trends have already started to emerge, while some are just around the corner.
- An already popular wedding destination, the Sunshine Coast will experience an influx fuelled by same sex couples being able to exchange vows.
- The nostalgia of rail lines is giving way to an emerging industry of train-based tourism. Good news for our region as the Mary Valley Rattler is due to get back on the tracks in Autumn 2018.
- Wellness travel is growing 50% faster than regular travel, according to a recent survey performed by the Global Wellness Summit. Visitors are choosing trips that add to their mental and/or physical wellbeing and the Sunshine Coast is ideally placed to compete in this space with an abundance of natural experiences, healthy produce, spas and retreats.
- Travelers are becoming thrill seekers wanting bigger and better extreme adventure options to brag to their friends about such as swimming with whales, skydiving or flying in a seaplane over the Coast or even diving with sharks at Sea Life.
- Glamping continues to be the ‘buzzword’ accommodation with a difference – experiencing the great outdoors with some (or all) of the comforts of home. Rivershore Resort is the latest and greatest, set on the Maroochy River.
- In the latest statistics to the year ending September 2017, 262,000 domestic visitors came to the Sunshine Coast for a business trip (conference or meeting). There is a trend for more travellers to merge business and leisure otherwise known as bleisure.
Cruising is one of the fastest growing tourism sectors across the globe. The Sunshine Coast is relatively new in the cruising industry, but in a short period of time, we have gone from strength to strength in proving to be a new alternative and popular destination for cruise itineraries. For example, in 2015-16, we welcomed 7 cruise ships valued at $1.2 million dollars. For the past year, this has steadily increased to 9 cruise ships and a total of nearly 40,000 passengers growing by 28.6%. Showing no signs of slowing down, an additional 12 ships are scheduled to visit during 2018/2019.- As recognised by Tourism Australia, ‘culinary tourism’ continues to be a hit as travellers are motivated by delicacies on offer. We will be dialling up and highlighting the innovative producers and array of cooking schools, restaurants and farmers markets during 2018.
- Lastly, people continue to seek authentic tours and experiences that can’t be accessed everywhere. Driving along the beach north of Noosa to Rainbow Beach, kayaking amongst dolphins or riding a horse along the beach; the Sunshine Coast is brimming with surprising activities.
