THE PAST month has kept us busy at Tourism Whitsundays (TW), out and about shining a light on our region and making waves across media, business events and trade.
International Media Marketplace in Sydney
The action kicked off with TW attending International Media Marketplace, in Sydney.
As one of the largest media events in the travel industry, IMM was the perfect platform to showcase all that The Whitsundays has to offer.
With back-to-back meetings, there was plenty of buzz around our region in the air.
From island escapes to mainland experiences, it was clear that The Whitsundays is top-of-mind for media and we can’t wait to see our region featured in upcoming travel stories, giving more people the chance to discover our slice of paradise.
AIME in Melbourne: Bringing business back to The Whitsundays
At the same time, we were in Melbourne at AIME (Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Expo), meeting with event planners and corporate buyers.
There was a sense of excitement about the possibility of bringing business events back to the region.
It’s clear that we’re not just a holiday destination but a prime location for corporate gatherings.
The Whitsundays East Coast Roadshow: Hitting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
TW hit the road alongside 15 of our incredible partners, to take part in the East Coast Roadshow.
Stopping in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, the roadshow saw over 300 trade partners and travel agents registering for the event.
The energy was electric, and it was great to witness the level of enthusiasm and support for our region.
Destination 2045: Shaping the Future of Tourism
Back on home turf, we had the honour of hosting the Tourism Minister Andrew Powell and Director General Patricia O’Callaghan for Destination 2045, Queensland’s long-term tourism vision workshop.
The event saw over 70 local operators joining us to share their insights and help shape the future of tourism in the region.
The collaboration and passion for our future were inspiring, and it’s fantastic to see our local community so involved in creating a thriving tourism industry for years to come.
Whitsunday Coast Airport hits major milestone
In exciting news, Whitsunday Coast Airport has reached a major milestone, with over 50,000 passengers passing through the airport in January – the highest number ever!
With direct flights to major cities, and even more routes in the works, our region is more connected than ever.
This is great news for our tourism industry and means even more people can explore The Whitsundays.
Record-breaking cruise ship arrivals
The beginning of 2025 has also been a record-breaking time for cruise ship visits.
In just two months, The Whitsundays has welcomed 27 cruise ships, bringing over 66,000 passengers to the region.
Of those, about 52,000 have disembarked to enjoy the beauty of our region.
With 13 more cruise ships expected to arrive in March, it’s clear that The Whitsundays is a must-visit for cruise lines.
Looking ahead: The future is bright
Looking ahead, there’s so much more in store.
With increased air and sea traffic, major business events, and growing media coverage, the region’s tourism industry is stronger than ever.
A major marketing campaign is also on the horizon to amplify the region’s visibility and highlight why we are lucky enough to call one of the world’s most stunning destinations home.
Stay tuned for more updates!
