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Last Friday, the Sunshine Coast was in the spotlight as we hosted the Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. Without a mask in sight, it was time to party like we did in the good old days...back in 2019! Having 700 tourism operators attend from across Australia was symbolic, as it was the first time the event could be held in two years due to COVID-19 and reflected the confidence and optimism from everyone who attended.
There were even more reasons to celebrate with a massive congratulations to Ali and Xochi from Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat who took out the gold award for Hosted Accommodation and Pelican Boat Hire Noosa who took out Bronze in the Tourism Retail and Hire Services.
And there was no better way to celebrate than with a craft beer activation. With 21 breweries across the Sunshine Coast, we do have more breweries per capital than anywhere else in the country. Ten of them came along to the event to share their award-winning brews and ensure all the delegates well and truly knew the Sunshine Coast was the Craft Beer Capital of Australia!
Hosting the Australian Tourism Awards also reinforced our capacity to host high-profile business events and was the perfect segue to our team attending the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) this week as we continue with the recovery of the business events sector. See more below.
In other good news, from next month New Zealand is removing its quarantine or self-isolation requirements. This will make travel between here and over the ditch relatively simple. I’m sure the kiwis are lining up already, as it’s a no-brainer for them to come and take a winter break to the Sunshine Coast. Considering this, we have ramped up our marketing and trade campaigns in New Zealand ahead of the direct flights recommencing from Auckland to Sunshine Coast from the middle of the year.
Finally, it’s really pleasing to hear we are all set for a bumper Easter with forward bookings looking very strong for the period. It’s easy to see why with the Queensland school holidays kicking off next week and New South Wales and Victoria starting a week later and running until 22 April. Not to mention a perfect line up of three long weekends in a row with Easter Monday, Anzac Day and Labour Day. It really is shaping up to be the boost we all need to get back on track in 2022.
Matt
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Business events are back
This week, our business events team (Michelle & Maureen) has been drumming up business at AIME. Held in Melbourne, this is an opportunity to showcase what the region has to offer in the business events space and connect with over 300 buyers.
In line with this, Tourism Australia launched new campaigns for international business events There’s Nothing Like Australia, and domestic business events, Event Here This Year.
Find out more or download the industry toolkit.
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SCOUT22 save the date and register your interest
Sunshine Coast Big Day Out for Tourism 2022 (scout22) is the region’s largest tourism exchange of the year and will be held Tuesday 24 May at Venue 114. Come along to connect, engage and collaborate with local tourism businesses!
Are you a business in one of the following categories? Events and event services, food and beverage, tours and experiences, transport, travel services or attractions. Expressions of Interest (EOI) are open to be one of 130 exhibitors to promote your tourism business.
The cost to exhibit at scout22 is FREE.
EOIs close 31 March.
FIND OUT MORE AND REGISTER HERE
Any questions regarding scout22, please email Beth Mahoney beth.mahoney@visitsunshinecoast.com
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Nothing beats Queensland campaign
Just as our team is full steam ahead at re-engaging our interstate markets of New South Wales and Victoria with marketing and tactical campaigns; Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) has also reactivated their Nothing Beats Queensland promotion in Sydney, Melbourne and throughout Queensland.
We are partnering with TEQ to support the campaign via a range of activities including welcoming the TODAY show to broadcast weather crosses from 6am this Saturday at the Eumundi Markets. Pre-recorded crosses will also be featured from Maleny Botanic Gardens and Amaze World.
To learn more about Nothing Beats Queensland and get involved, download the operator toolkit.
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Share your news
We invite you to share your business news? From new product offerings to updated menus, upcoming events or good news stories; click here to share your updates!
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- The Ridge at Maleny has launched brand new one bedroom villas featuring warm, natural finishes, timber floors, spa bath, spacious living area and everything you need for a comfortable, relaxing getaway.
- Gympie’s historic Mary Valley Rattler returned to the tracks last weekend following the completion of a safety assessment. The recommencing of services follows significant rehabilitation and restoration works completed in the wake of the recent floods.
- Spirit House Restaurant has suffered a few delays in rebuilding the new restaurant but is on track to open end March/early April.
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Staff update
Our trade manager Emily Zinowki is departing on maternity leave from 8 April and due to return in early January 2023. We have appointed Sonya Mroz to the position. With 20+ years in trade and international destination sales and marketing, she has experience in both hotels and attractions and has worked for a range of tourism companies including Lady Elliot Island Resort, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Minor Hotels. Sonya will be supported by Beth Mahoney and Andrew Fairbairn as part of the Industry and Trade team. We wish Emily all the best with the upcoming arrival of her little boy!
We also invite applicants for the following positions:
Social Media Specialist closes this Friday
Membership & Administration Co-ordinator due 1 April
Business and Leisure Events Manager due 11 April.
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Trade talk
Applications have closed for our Trade and International members to participate in the 2022 Domestic Roadshow. Events will take place from June 20 – 23 in Sydney and Melbourne and will provide invaluable opportunities to meet with key inbound, OTA and retail trade partners. If you have not registered and are still interested in participating, please contact emily.zinowki@visitsunshinecoast.com as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, with the Qantas Australia Tourism Awards bringing a suite of key industry partners to town, our VSC trade team hosted guests from Tourism Australia (TA), Qantas, and TEQ for a variety of engagement opportunities to showcase the region and welcome our guests in Sunshine Coast style. We also partnered with TA to host an operator lunch with many of our experience operators sharing their insights with the industry team.
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Tourism business professional advice
The Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport program still has the Tourism business professional advice rebate which provides up to a maximum of $2,500 (excluding GST) per eligible business for additional professional financial, legal and/or human resource advice. That is, a rebate of 50% of the costs of up to $5,000 (excluding GST) in professional advice received. Find out more.
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In brief
- Support is available for businesses impacted by the recent Southeast Queensland floods, including recovery grants and disaster assistance loans. Find out more.
- Register to tune into the next Tourism Australia industry webinar this Friday.
- Council is inviting feedback on the Eumundi Streetscape Project. Have your say before 11 April.
- The Department of Transport and Main Roads are currently seeking feedback on designs for the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore cycleway. Find out more or have your say by 22 April 2022.
- The Curated Plate culinary festival will be held from 29 July-7 August. Expression of Interest registrations are open with businesses invited to put forward creative local food and beverage offerings which highlight the region’s talent and natural assets. Find out more.
- Buskers by the Lake returns 19 - 21 August. Artist applications are now open.
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