Sunshine Coast “in the money” as international visitor expenditure rises 26.7%
Americans and Kiwis fuel record growth, but backpackers decline as ‘backpacker tax’ impact bites.
International visitors to Sunshine Coast are not only staying longer, but spending considerably more, with the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) figures showing record expenditure of $245.3 million for the year to the end of June 2016 – a rise of 26.7% compared to the year before.
The record result was revealed in the IVS figures produced by Tourism Research Australia.
“The success of our Sunshine Coast campaigns in the USA and New Zealand are the stand-out trends in these figures,” said Ceo of Visit Sunshine Coast, Simon Latchford.
“The lower Australian dollar has definitely had an impact, but we believe it is the attraction of what we offer that is driving visitor numbers to the Sunshine Coast,” said Mr Latchford.
Macao travel trade information more readily available
In keeping with rapid online advancements, the Macao Government Tourism Office has introduced new features to its “Macao Tourism Data plus” website platform so that the travel industry can be informed of the latest trade news more conveniently and swiftly.
Two features have been added for users to obtain Macao’s tourism figures and statistics more conveniently.
Those features are:
- Subscription service: Interested users can regularly receive Macao’s latest tourism figures and information through subscription;
- User manual: Users can learn how to use the website’s key features from the user manual.
At present, “MTD plus” features interactive data, tourism statistics tables, E-publications, other tourism statistics, distribution maps of visitor source markets as well as tourism situation video.
In addition, five different indicators are available: total visitor arrivals, source markets, modes of transport, average length of stay of visitors and hotel overnight guests. “MTD plus” is available on the website: http://mtdplus.macaotourism.gov.mo or Macao Tourism Industry Net: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo to all users from various sectors.
New Caledonia to host 2017 TropOut Festival
The sequel to the most talked-about gay travel event of the year has finally been announced, with the next TropOut set to take place on the South Pacific island paradise of New Caledonia in May next year.
Fresh from the launch event in Phuket four months ago, the TropOut team has been scouring the world for the perfect destination for the festival’s second installment – and they found it in the French-speaking, palm-fringed coast of New Caledonia.
Revellers from across the globe are invited to the island’s capital, Noumea, to mingle and party in what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime week experiencing TropOut’s unique ‘Chill, Party & Explore’ concept on a whole new setting.
New Caledonia Tourism’s Australian sales and marketing director, Caroline Brunel said New Caledonia Tourism is thrilled to host the 2017 TropOut Festival and collaborate with event organisers to showcase the appeal of New Caledonia within the gay market.
“Through this partnership, we are hoping to leverage TropOut’s strong reputation within this community and position New Caledonia as a leading gay-friendly travel destination not only in the South Pacific, but the world,” she said.
