SunshineCoastRegionalReport2ndQtr2004

TOURISM
OVERVIEW


TOURISM OVERVIEW
    The total number of visitors to the Sunshine Coast Tourism Region (which includes Caloundra City,
   Maroochy Shire, Noosa Shire and Cooloola Shire) was higher across each visitor market the year ending
    March 2004 when compared to the year ending March 2003, with the exception of domestic overnight
                                visitors, which recorded a reduction of 4.4%.

     Despite deteriorating international travel conditions, the number of international visitors to the region
    increased in the year ending March 2004, indicating increased visitor confidence regarding the safety of
                    Australia and the Sunshine Coast as an international tourist destination.
                                                Tourism Demand Indicators, BTR National and International Visitor Surveys
                                                                       Domestic Overnight       Domestic Day Trip          International
                                                                     Year Ended % Change Year Ended % Change Year Ended % Change
                                                                         Mar-04      Mar-03       Mar-04       Mar-03     Mar-04      Mar-03
            Total Visitors                                             2,501,000         -4.4   4,097,000          14.6   222,976        8.1
             Interstate                                                  825,000          5.2      41,000          14.6        n.a       n.a
             Intrastate                                                1,676,000         -8.5   4,056,000          14.6        n.a       n.a

            Average Length of Stay (nights)                                                     4.5             0.1           n.a         n.a         9.0               0.3
            Total Visitor Nights                                                         15,927,000            37.2           n.a         n.a   2,008,392              41.5

            Purpose of Visit (Visitors)
             Holiday/Leisure                                                                  1,551,000        -8.8    2,868,000         21.5     176,151               5.4
             Visiting Friends/Relatives                                                         750,000        10.3      942,000          9.8      37,906               8.1
             Business/Conference                                                                125,000       -20.3      123,000         71.9       8,919              44.1
             Other                                                                               50,000       -36.3      164,000        -42.7       4,460             116.2

            Accommodation (Nights)
             Hotel, Resort, Motel, Motor Inn                                                  3,822,000        13.5           n.a         n.a            n.a            n.a
             Friends or Relatives Property                                                    4,937,000        63.6           n.a         n.a            n.a            n.a
             Rented house / apartment / flat / unit                                           4,619,000        32.6           n.a         n.a            n.a            n.a
             Caravan Park / Camping ground                                                    1,593,000        96.0           n.a         n.a            n.a            n.a
             Caravan / camping near road / private property                                     159,000       -31.4           n.a         n.a            n.a            n.a

            Source: Bureau of Tourism Research National and International Visitor Surveys



           Tourism demand for hotel/ motel and serviced apartments in the Sunshine Coast Tourism Region
                strengthened in the March Quarter 2004 when compared with the March Quarter 2003, with
                          increases in guest arrivals, takings, guest nights and occupancy rates. .

                                                       Tourism Demand Indicators, ABS Survey of Tourist Accommodation
Region                        Occupancy                Guest Arrivals Average Stay      Guest Nights       Room Nights                            Takings   Average Daily
                                 (%)                       (No.)         (Nights)          (No.)              (No.)                               ($’000)    Takings per
                                                                                                                                                              Room($)
                                                                                                                                                             Mar- Mar-
                          Mar-04 Mar-03                 Mar-04 % chg Mar-04 Mar-03                         Mar-04     % chg   Mar-04    % chg Mar-04 % chg
                                                                                                                                                                04     03
Caloundra City                 63.9          51.1       51,361             13.9           2.9        2.7   146,489     20.8    54,100    33.7 5,388   11.8    63.6    60.8
Maroochy Shire                 66.9          65.4      104,087              6.6           3.7        3.7   382,978      6.7   151,599      9.8 19,181   6.5   84.6    85.3
Noosa Shire                    68.0          64.9       59,055              6.4           4.5        4.5   264,938      6.1    94,400      4.8 15,295 10.8 110.1      99.4

Sunshine Coast                 66.6          62.6      214,503              8.2           3.7        3.7   794,405      8.9   300,099     11.7 39,864           8.8    88.5       85.4

Queensland                     61.8          58.6 2,170,705                10.7           2.9        2.9 6,338,418     13.0 3,094,400     11.2 362,561         14.7    72.5       66.5

Notes: (a) The ABS classifies a hotel/motel as an establishment with fifteen or more rooms.
Source: ABS Survey of Tourist Accommodation




©0, Sunshine Coast Regional Economy, Second Quarter 2004                                                                                                                      - 34 -