2018-12-11 S&O Agenda - Attachment 1 to Item 20 - Tourism Noosa Annual Report 2017-2018

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN AND THE CEO
Embracing innovation in an endeavour to balance          Thank you also to our Federal and State members,
growth with a more sustainable and responsible           Llew O’Brien and Sandy Bolton for giving us an
tourism sector was at the heart of Tourism               opportunity to connect with policy-makers and give
Noosa’s focus in 2017-18, so it was timely that          our industry a voice at these government levels.
this year’s World Tourism Day, observed by the           Alliances with our regional neighbours including
United Nations World Tourism Organisation,               Visit Sunshine Coast, Destination Gympie Region,
celebrated the theme of “tourism and the digital         Fraser Coast Tourism & Events and Sunshine Coast
transformation”.                                         Airport saw great success in destination marketing
Innovation and sustainability were at the core of        campaigns through the Sunshine Coast Aviation
our activities and goals through the year, and we        Partnership, experience development with the
see them as an obligation for us and the industry        addition of the Mary Valley Drive, showcasing the
to safeguard the long-term future of tourism, our        region to key international trade, and support for
businesses and our community. This commitment            new nature-based product through the Cooloola
was evident from our marketing messages and the          Great Walk famil.
use of new technology to reach evolving visitor          We also furthered our relationships with industry
segments, to innovative approaches to commercial,        bodies including Tourism and Events Queensland,
government and industry partnerships; the delivery       Tourism Australia and the Queensland Tourism
of the Noosa Food & Wine Festival; our support for       Industry Council, and saw advances in corporate
the development of unique product; engagement            partnerships with Qantas, Audi, RACQ and others
with community groups and environmental                  that benefited members.
organisations; the evolution of our Noosa Eco Check
program; new ideas in the area of corporate social       Thank you to our almost 100 volunteers at the Visitor
responsibility; and our award-winning Refresh Noosa      Information Centres and to our record 652 members
program.                                                 for your commitment to this wonderful industry that
                                                         is a major economic contributor and job provider in
Refresh Noosa, a major initiative introduced in          our region, with about $900 million in direct visitor
our Tourism Strategy 2017-2022 and aimed at              spend each year, as well as millions more in indirect
encouraging reinvestment in local tourism products       spend through the flow-on across businesses that
and the use of environmentally sustainable               service the tourism industry.
practices, was launched in October last year and a
conference and expo earlier this year brought some       We believe we have one of the most engaged,
of Australia’s best in their field to Noosa. We were     vibrant tourism industries in Australia and we urge
extremely proud that this program recently won the       you to continue to find ways to become involved
2018 Queensland Tourism Industry Council Prize           in our activities – from cooperative marketing
for Innovation in Tourism – huge recognition for our     campaigns and familiarisations to networking
local tourism industry and suppliers. We would like      opportunities with your fellow members, industry
to thank everyone who has come on-board with this        surveys, newsletters, events, member training
industry-leading project.                                workshops, industry updates and invitations to take
                                                         part in special projects and initiatives.
In the first full year of our new Tourism Strategy, we
are pleased to report that a significant number of       These activities that form the backbone of our
other goals have either been achieved or are well        strategies aim to not only increase visitor spend
on their way, including support for new events and       in our region and provide world-class experiences
experiences that disperse visitors throughout our        to visitors, but also ensure our industry is a valued
region, and increasingly through our magnificent and     and trusted partner in the Noosa community that is
undiscovered rural areas.                                committed to improved environmental outcomes.

We would like to acknowledge the productive              Thank you to the Tourism Noosa Board whose
relationship with Noosa Council and thank Mayor          collective vision and passion for this community
Tony Wellington, CEO Brett de Chastel, Council’s         provides a sound basis for the team’s activities
observer to our Board Cr Frank Wilkie, other             throughout the year, ensuring tourism delivers
Councillors and the many staff with whom we              sustainable benefits and a balanced consideration
regularly liaise on a range of projects. We greatly      for all who live in and visit Noosa.
appreciate the many opportunities to be consulted
                                                         Louise Terry                Steve McPharlin
as a trusted advisor on various Council plans
                                                         Acting CEO                  Chair
and strategies, in particular the Draft Noosa Trail
                                                         Tourism Noosa               Tourism Noosa
Masterplan, that will ensure our industry’s voice
is heard as we advocate for a balance between
community, conservation and industry.




visitnoosa.com.au                                                                                                3