2020-01-13 GC Agenda - Item 10 - Attachment 1 - Report on the Sustainable Tourism Stakeholder Reference Group

The economic benefit of tourism to the shire has been estimated by various sources in various ways.
Unfortunately, the statistics coming from the ABS and other sources do not readily distinguish between
businesses reliant on tourism and those less reliant on tourism.
However, recent research funded by Council along with Tourism Noosa (see attachment to this report)
found that total tourism and hospitality sales in the Shire area in 2016/17 was $1 billion. The total value-
added from these sales was $513 million. At this time there were 3,677 people directly employed in
Noosa’s tourism and hospitality industry, equating to 2,648 full time equivalent jobs. The flow-on impact on
employment attributable to tourism and hospitality was 5,785 people, equating to 4,592 jobs.
The report also noted that the total output of tourism in Noosa has grown from $645 million in 1999/2000
to $1 billion in 2017/18, with an average growth rate of 2.6% (adjusted for inflation). Total value-added has
also grown, from $297 million to $513 million over the same period. This represents average annual growth
of 3.3% (adjusted for inflation). It is worth noting that this period includes the GFC which was responsible
for a general downturn in the tourism market.
The report also notes that “since 2010/11 Noosa, as a tourist destination, has been outperforming
Queensland as a whole in attracting visitors in proportional terms.”
By the direct value-added to GRP measure, the five most valuable industries in Noosa are:
Health Care and Social Assistance ($249.5 million)
Construction ($198.7 million)
Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services ($190.9 million)
Retail Trade ($186.3 million)
Professional, Scientific and Technical Services ($176.8 million)
Economy.id estimated the direct value-added from tourism at $262 million, which would make it the
largest industry in Noosa, above health care and social assistance.
It is noted that tourism is not a separately recognised industry and is estimated by taking value-added from
tourism-related industries such as accommodation and food services, arts and recreation, and retail,
amongst others. Accommodation and food services as a stand-alone industry ranks 7th, with a value-added
of $165 million.
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