Cruise Conference sails into Sunshine Coast
This September will see the Australian Cruise Association will hold their annual conference and AGM sail into the Sunshine Coast after the successful bid by Business Events Sunshine Coast (BESC) was announced at the completion of the 2016 Conference held in Sydney.
Making the announcement, Jill Abel, CEO of Australia Cruise Association said “we are seeing the regional ports becoming increasingly critical to the growth of the cruise tourism sector in Australia. We wanted to recognise that in our selection of the destination for our 21st annual conference next year and look forward to working with the Sunshine Coast on creating a highly successful event.”
Reinforcing the region’s reputation as one of the fastest growing port destinations in the country, the event is anticipated to attract around 140 peoplein September next year.
This includes leading national and international cruise executives and representatives from the supply side of the cruise sector – shore excursion operators, port authorities, providores, shipping agents and tour businesses. The conference, AGM and associated functions will be held in Mooloolaba at host venues Mantra Mooloolaba Beach and The Surf Club Mooloolaba.
Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) CEO, Simon Latchford, said that hosting the Australian Cruise Association event was timely as the Sunshine Coast has gone from strength to strength as a popular destination for cruise itineraries, welcoming more than 24,000 passengers over the past two years.
“Cruising is the one of the fastest growing tourism sectors in Australia, which is why VSC, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) and Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) has identified growing and supporting the cruise sector as part of our tourism strategy,” Latchford said.
“In 2015-2016 the cruise industry was estimated to have generated $1.2million in total expenditure for the Sunshine Coast with cruise ships integral to our tourism industry. There’s no doubt our swift growth in the cruise market can be attributed to our region’s beachside culture, local food, nature, attractions and the warm Sunshine Coast welcome from our friendly Visitor Centre volunteers and community.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said the conference was an opportunity to further leverage the cruise market for the Sunshine Coast and Queensland.
“The emergence of Mooloolaba as a highly popular cruise destination has given domestic and international passengers another great reason to visit Queensland,” Coddington added.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson said eight cruise ships from three different cruise lines had dropped anchor off Mooloolaba since July last year and in that short period of time our region had earned a reputation both domestically and internationally as a cruise ship stopover destination of choice.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Australian Cruise Association BESC business events sunshine coastLatest News
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