NEW SUSTAINABLE TOURISM CAMPAIGN FOR SUNSHINE COAST

A new tourism marketing campaign for the Sunshine Coast will showcase the region’s sustainability credentials thanks to funding announced by the Palaszczuk Government.

Visit Sunshine Coast is one of thirteen Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs) sharing in more than $3 million in funding for tourism promotion by the Palaszczuk Government.

Member for Nicklin. Rob Skelton MP said the decision by UNESCO to make the Sunshine Coast a Biosphere, the only place in the world where three Biospheres sit side-by-side provided a terrific opportunity for the region’s tourism industry.

“The Sunshine Coast is truly a very special and unique environment,” Mr Skelton said.

“The sustainable and eco-certified tourism experiences you can enjoy here will be the focus of a new marketing campaign by Visit Sunshine Coast.

“This will elevate our region’s new brand platform as well as educate and involve visitors, with a special opportunity to offset their carbon emissions.

“The campaign is one of two projects we’re funding Visit Sunshine Coast to deliver, with an integrated brand and experiences transformation program also being delivered to ready local tourism businesses for the opportunities of the next ten years.”

Additionally, the Sunshine Coast will be part of a wider Drive Queensland co-operative marketing campaign promoting drive holidays across the whole state.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the funding was part of an election commitment to support regional tourism campaigns and turbo-charge regional visitor economies.

“This is part of an election commitment to invest $15 million over three years in regional tourism campaigns and initiatives to grow local visitor numbers and create jobs,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Matt Stoeckel, welcomed TEQ’s funding commitment for the campaign.

“We are thrilled to receive funding towards an area that we are so passionate about on the Sunshine Coast – and that’s sustainability!” said Mr Stoeckel.

“This campaign will highlight our sustainability credentials and appeal to those travellers who we know have become far more discerning about the eco credentials of destinations they are planning to visit.

“Sunshine Coast operators – from international hotels to restaurants – have made huge strides to not only meet, but exceed, their environmental obligations, and their stories will come to life through the campaign.”

Local RTO programs, campaigns and initiatives funded by the Palaszczuk Government in 2022-2023 include:

• Transformation Sunshine Coast – led by Visit Sunshine Coast
• Summer in the Tropics – led by Tourism Tropical North Queensland
• Launching Townsville North Queensland – led by Townsville Enterprise
• Brisbane Visitor Experience and Host Engagement Strategy – led by Brisbane Economic Development Agency
• Sustainable Sunshine Coast – led by Visit Sunshine Coast
• Agritourism Workshops – led by Southern Queensland Country Tourism
• Event Masterclass – led by Southern Queensland Country Tourism
• Industry Development and Recognition Pathway – led by Brisbane Economic Development Agency
• Drive QLD – a state-wide collaboration led by Gladstone Area Promotion and Development Limited
• Inclusive Tourism: Towards the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games – led by Destination Gold Coast
• Marine Mecca – led by Fraser Coast Tourism and Events
• Ignite and Reconnect – led by Fraser Coast Tourism and Events
• Destination Events Campaign – led by Mackay Isaac Tourism
• Drive North Queensland – a collaboration of five RTOs led by Tourism Tropical North Queensland
• Best of Outback Queensland Experiences – led by Outback Queensland Tourism Association
• Transitioning Fraser Island to Brand K’gari – led by Fraser Coast Tourism and Events
• The RTO Geo-Data Service Project – whole of network
• The RTO Climate Change Action Plan – whole of network
• ATE Ready Program – whole of network