State Government promises to show Sunshine Coast to the world

Tourism industry authorities are looking to Olympic enthusiasm to turn around the $100k losses caused by ex-tropical cyclone Alfred on the Sunshine Coast.

The state government has committed to building up the Sunshine Coast for a better tourism future ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

The Sunshine Coast saw a 4.3 million domestic overnight visitors in the 12 months ending December 2024, which makes an almost 10% increase on the previous year.

International visitation reached 311,000, achieving 94.3% of pre-pandemic levels from 2019.

Despite the increase in travellers, domestic overnight visitor expenditure decreased by 13.5% to $3.8 billion last year.

Cyclone Alfred left the tourism industry in tatters and the state government announced a multimillion-dollar support package to get tourism operators back on their feet.

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel said the organisation estimated Cyclone Alfred caused more than $100,000 in losses from cancellations and lost revenue.

Matt Stoeckel, Visit Sunshine Coast

“The tourism sector employs close to 30,000 people on the Sunshine Coast meaning one in 10 people are employed by the tourism industry,” Mr Stoeckel said.

“We are down 22% for visitor arrivals this month and down 7% for April and May.”

The state government is hoping to use the Olympics investment announcements to turn this trend around.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the Games were about more than sport.

MPs Andrew Powell and Martin Hunt at the Big Pineapple

“The legacy projects generated by the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will drive steady tourism, support community grassroots sports and provide lasting infrastructure for one of the fastest-growing regions in the country,” Mr Powell

said.

“By hosting Olympic events, the Sunshine Coast has a unique chance to show the world what we have to offer.”

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, and state government MPs Andrew Powell and Martin Hunt at the Big Pineapple.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said she was excited about the projects for the Sunshine Coast community included in the 2032 delivery plan.

“After years of advocacy, council appreciates the opportunity to bring an arena and cultural precinct to fruition in the Maroochydore City centre, integrated with an athletes’ village,” Ms Natoli said.

“The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a huge opportunity for the Sunshine Coast tourism industry,” Mr Stoeckel said.

When asked about hotel capacity before the Olympics, Mr Stoeckel said the coast is short more than 2400 hotel rooms on the Sunshine Coast.

“We’ve seen more developers interested this year than we have in the last five years, which is promising.”