Whilst we still don’t know whether we will be seeing our NSW and Victoria markets in time for Christmas, there was some encouraging news this week with Virgin’s announcement that they are resuming direct flights from Adelaide to the Sunshine Coast year-round. This is great news for our region and the commencement in mid-December couldn’t be better to have this additional capacity over the summer season. This will especially be the case if the borders to our other interstate markets don’t open in time.
On the topic of transport, Sunshine Coast Council will hold a special meeting next week to discuss and debate the Mass Transit Project Options Analysis report. You can find out more here and register to stay updated.
Sunshine Coast Council is also undertaking a Mooloolaba Visitation Study and I encourage you to have your say by completing the short online survey. The results will assist Council and the Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce to better understand community needs and consider potential solutions for Mooloolaba.
Finally, for those businesses looking to take on additional staff in the lead up to the Christmas season there are two Jobs Fairs hosted by Sunshine Coast Council in Caloundra and Mooloolaba in November. Its free to exhibit and is a great way to showcase your job vacancies. Check out the link for more information
Matt Stoeckel
CEO
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Virgin direct flights from Adelaide to Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Coast Airport and Virgin Australia supported by the Queensland Government has announced the direct flight service will resume between Adelaide and the Sunshine Coast. Just prior to the Christmas period, the first flight will commence from 14 December and will operate four times per week, year-round. To celebrate, Virgin Australia is offering one-way fares from as low as $79 for select dates.
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Call for Nominations for Election to the Board of Directors
We are seeking suitably qualified individuals to nominate themselves for potential election as a Member-elected Director on the Visit Sunshine Coast Board. There is currently two vacancies for a Member-elected position. Nominations must be received by 5pm, (AEST) Wednesday, 20 October 2021 to be eligible. Find out more.
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The Gift of Travel
Tourism Australia (TA) are extending their ‘Holiday Here this Year’ campaign to encourage people to give ‘The Gift of Travel.’ Do you have packages, bookability, gift vouchers and is your ATDW listing up to date with relevant offers? You can view TA’s webinar for more information and find out how to get involved via the toolkit.
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Latest COVID-19 update
- Applications to apply for the Qld Government’s $110 million Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Grants Program has opened. Support will depend on the size of the applicant’s payroll. You can apply for funds until 22 November.
- Stage 3 restrictions apply to all of Queensland. View the roadmap with latest information
including mask wearing requirements.
- A pop-up vaccination clinic will be open this weekend at Bunnings Gympie.
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Member news!
Looking to share your business news? From Christmas party venues or new product offerings to updated menus, upcoming events or good news stories; click here to share your updates!
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In the spotlight
Encouraging visitors to get off the beaten track and explore all the Sunshine Coast has to offer is a huge focus of ours, so we were extremely excited to work together with adventure-based travel show Roads Less Travelled on a Sunshine Coast episode! The national program funded by VSC aired on Channel 10 last week featuring Sunreef Mooloolaba, Paradise Seaplanes, Caloundra Boardsports, The Original Eumundi Markets and TreeTop Challenge.
In other media coverage, it was great to see Marcoola and Rainbow Beach featured in Australian Traveller’s top 11 summer beach towns across Australia while Prevention named the Sunshine Coast Hinterland as one of the top relaxation travel destinations.
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Trade update
- Participants in the International Restart Program completed their third workshop which focused on selling skills, presentations and preparing for a trade show. In addition to developing their sales pitches, the participants had the opportunity to meet with Expedia, Rezdy, TripADeal, and Experience Oz to get a firm understanding of how channel managers and trade partners work.
- This week, VSC hosted 8 travel agents from Ignite Travel in region. The agents conducted accommodation site inspections and met with experience operators to gain product knowledge and insight into our destination.
- Save the date for the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) 2022! Tourism Australia will host the event in a hybrid format live (8-11 May) and online for various countries from (16-26 May). The ATE live location will be announced, and applications will open in the coming month.
- Registrations close tomorrow for the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) 2021 Virtual Meeting Place event to be held 29 November to 1 December. Find out more.
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In brief
- The Sunshine Coast Jobs Fairs will be held in Caloundra on Wednesday 3 November at The Events Centre and in Mountain Creek on Friday 5 November at TAFE Queensland Mooloolaba Campus. See here for more information and to register your interest in exhibiting.
- Free Online Business Coaching has been extended! Receive one-on-one coaching in any of the following areas: COVID Reopening Preparation, Pivoting a Product and Innovation, Domestic Trade and Distribution and/or Domestic Marketing. Register for the program.
- It’s Get Ready Queensland Week! We encourage you and your business to prepare for disaster season such as extreme weather events. Sunshine Coast Council has a great range of resources to find out what to do before, during and after a disaster or emergency.
- The Sunshine Coast has been named host region for the 2022 and 2023 Surf Life Saving Queensland State Championships, which attract more than 8000 competitors, officials, supporters and spectators.
- The Queensland Tourism Industry Council Young Professionals Mentoring Program is currently accepting applications from both interested mentees and mentors from the tourism and hospitality sector. Find out more and apply for the program.
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