Over the next year, the Sunshine Coast is scheduled to host 60 major sporting, music and lifestyle events, estimated to attract 150,000 visitors from over 40 countries and contribute about $100 million to the region’s economy – almost double last year’s figures.
A new campaign promoting the Sunshine Coast as the major events capital of regional Australia was unveiled by Visit Sunshine Coast and Sunshine Coast Council.
“The World is Coming…” promotional campaign, will showcase the massive calendar of events coming to the Sunshine Coast in 2016 and into 2017, the 50th anniversary of the naming of the Sunshine Coast.
Over the next year, the Sunshine Coast is scheduled to host 60 major sporting, music and lifestyle events, estimated to attract 150,000 visitors from over 40 countries and contribute about $100 million to the region’s economy – almost double last year’s figures.
“This year the Sunshine Coast is set to host the largest ever portfolio of events held in the region,” said CEO of Visit Sunshine Coast, Simon Ambrose.
“World-class sporting events such as the Ironman 70.3 World Championships and World Outrigger Sprint Championships will place the focus on the Sunshine Coast’s magnificent aquatic attractions, while the Queensland Garden Expo, Caloundra Music Festival, Maroochy Music and Visual Arts Festival, Wanderlust, and a new-format Noosa Food & Wine Festival, will highlight the diversity of our events calendar.”
Finishing stretch of the Ironman at Mooloolaba
“Research shows that 69% of people who come to a destination for an event return for a holiday, so events and meetings are a fundamental component of the Sunshine Coast’s tourism growth strategy.”
“’The World is Coming…’ campaign is the perfect lead-up to our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017, and Visit Sunshine Coast is working closely with the Sunshine Coast Events Board to attract a series of major events to the region throughout the anniversary year.”
Major Events 2016
| 11 to 13 March: | Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival (est. 11,300 guests) |
| 16 to 24 April: | Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (est. 22,000 guests) |
| 5 to 15 May: | Va’a World Outrigger Sprint Championships (est. 5000 guests) |
| 8-10 July: | Queensland Garden Expo (est. 18,000 guests) |
| 4 September: | Ironman 70.3 World Championships (est. 9600 guests) |
| 8 to 15 October: | Australasian Police and Emergency Services Games (est. 7400 guests) |
| 30 September to 3 October: | Caloundra Music Festival (est. 16,000 guests) |
| Through-out year: | 10 Cruise ship visits: (est. 6000 guests) |
Photo caption: Geoff Meyer (CEO Ironman Asia Pacific), Caroline Steffen (world champion triathlete) and Simon Ambrose (CEO Visit Sunshine Coast)
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
