The first-ever Tourism in Local Government Areas survey shows that the Sunshine Coast is proving itself a magnet for international visitors, recording an average stay of 13.4 nights per visit.
The survey was conducted by Tourism Research Australia and based on four years of figures up to 2013, for the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie council areas.
The figures show that the Sunshine Coast region attracted 8.3 million visitors, generating visitor spend of $2.2 billion in 2013. The strong tourism flow supported 5136 tourism businesses in the three council areas.
While Noosa led the way with backpackers (163,600), the Sunshine Coast council region attracted the longest length of stay for international visitors, with the average stay being almost two weeks (13.4 days), reflecting the rich diversity of the region and its attractions.
The Regional Tourism Organisation, Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL), is charged with the role of attracting domestic and international visitors to the whole region and works closely with all three councils to generate new business.
Commenting on the research, SCDL CEO, Simon Ambrose, said: “Two week stays in the one destination is an extremely impressive reflection on the attractiveness of the region for tourists. Our emphasis has been to show that we are far more than just a beach destination, and that has clearly resonated with international travellers who appreciate the sophistication of Noosa, the natural beauty of the Hinterland and Mary Valley areas, the diversity of the coastline, the abundant water sports on offer and the region’s rapidly maturing food and arts scene.”
“The figures show that we have been very successful in creating reasons not only to visit, but to stay longer.”
Simon Ambrose
Noosa Backpackers.
“SCDL concentrates on showcasing a broad range of product across the region, and we will build on that by launching the Great Beach Drive in April, in association with Australia’s Nature Coast. This will be a huge attraction in the international market because it will offer the best of the Gympie, Noosa and Sunshine Coast’s coastal experiences in one integrated product.”
Noosa’s Ivory Palms Resort Manager, Geoff Hussin, said that the Sunshine Coast’s reputation in the domestic and international markets had been instrumental in driving business to his resort. He said that the Sunshine Coast gave Noosa businesses extra “punch and reach”.
“When I market Ivory Palms to southerners and internationally, I sell the Sunshine Coast and Noosa.”
Geoff Hussin
