Conversations and AGM
THERE’S been a lot of activity in Tourism Whitsundays, of late, as we’ve recently hosted Conversations with Industry, with Tourism and Events Queensland.
This was a great session that allowed everyone to see what Tourism and Events Queensland has planned for the next 12 months and, in some degree, beyond to 2032.
With such huge Overnight Expenditure targets placed on regional areas to deliver in time for the 2032 Olympics, Conversations with Industry allowed operators the chance to raise any questions they may have about how the region is expected to reach that target and what support there will be.
Following Conversations was the Tourism Whitsundays’ AGM, where we welcomed four new elected board members: Nathan Fleming of Ocean Rafting, Sue Watson of Pinnacles, Phil Browne of Whitsunday Sailing Adventures and Nicole Graham of Iconic Whitsunday Adventures.
The board also welcomed invited member, Carly Povey of Bonza Airlines. I’m looking forward to working with our new board over the next year.
After an afternoon of information, we went straight into the September networking event, on the Jetty at Coral Sea Resort.
What a stunning location for an event, everyone who attended thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
New Data
Released for World Tourism Day, the latest National Visitor Survey Data provided insights into visitation and Overnight Visitors (OVE) in the Whitsundays.
The results for the year ending June 2023, show a total of 765,000 domestic visitors and 68,000 international visitors to the region.
The OVE for the same period was $1.3bn, down from a record-breaking $1.6bn, and up 150 per cent on pre-pandemic OVE results.
Overall, the data painted a positive picture of visitation to the Whitsundays.
A night of Celebration
The countdown to the Whitsundays Tourism Awards is in single digits.
Aimee and the team have pulled together another standout event and we’re looking forward to celebrating our Business and Tourism Award nominees and winners, on the night.
Ticket sales are almost finished, so if you are wanting to join us on October 20, at the Proserpine Entertainment Centre, get in quick to secure your ticket at www.whitsundaystourismawards.com.au
