The visit was organised by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and is the first of its kind for the Sunshine Coast region. The touring party included HA’s Director for North America Leimomi Hall and TEQ’s Leigh Arredondo.
Executives from Hawaiian Airlines visited the Sunshine Coast recently and left believing that there was great potential for growing business from America to the region.
The visit was organised by Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and is the first of its kind for the Sunshine Coast region. The touring party included HA’s Director for North America Leimomi Hall and TEQ’s Leigh Arredondo.
Hosted by Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL), the visit showcased key attractions of the region, including Australia Zoo, where the American visitors had close encounters with distinctly Australian native animals.
With an increasing range of carriers connecting America to the Sunshine Coast via Brisbane and Sunshine Coast airports, SCDL believes that the Sunshine Coast offers a range of attractions and events to attract significantly higher numbers of American visitors to the region in future years.
“We have the advantage of increased air capacity across the Pacific into both Brisbane and Sunshine Coast airports, and events such as the 2016 World Outrigging Championships, as well as our natural attractions, are ideal ingredients for attracting the US market,” said SCDL CEO Simon Ambrose.
“The American market also has the benefit of a significantly higher dollar and an economy that is growing strongly. The conditions are perfect for building inbound business to Australia.”
In the year ending September 2014, the Sunshine Coast attracted 24,500 US visitors staying an average 11 nights. The strong American result was part of an overall 9.4% increase in international visitors in 2014 compared to the same time for the previous year.
Photo caption (from left to right): Emma Goeldner (HA), Jannette Lau (HA), Leigh Arredondo (Tourism & Events Qld), Julie Cullen (SCDL), Shirley Manan (HA) & Leimomi Hall (Director Nth America of HA)
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
