The biggest disruption to Coast's booming resort industry

IT'S been one of the biggest disruptors and also one of the biggest assistants to the thriving Sunshine Coast tourism market.

The photo of a Noosa home listed on Airbnb.

IT'S been one of the biggest disruptors and also one of the biggest assistants to the thriving Sunshine Coast tourism market.

The rise of share accommodation and short-stay apps like Airbnb and Stayz has helped open up the region to people who otherwise mightn't visit.

Noosa real estate agent Tom Offermann has spoken previously of the impact it has had on the northern tourism market, saying nearly all of the sector's growth in the past two years had been accounted for by Airbnb and Stayz.

With limited numbers in traditional accommodation houses, Mr Offermann said the opening up of the region via more efficient use of private properties had been positive for both home owners and visitors.

A screen shot of a number of Tweed properties listed on Airbnb. Picture: Contributed

A Deloitte Access Economics report assessing the impact on Airbnb in Australia showed how effective the market disruptor had been.

The report found Airbnb guests contributed $1.6 billion to Australia's gross domestic product in 2015-16, through more than 800,000 stays booked nationally.

Three-quarters of Airbnb properties in major markets were located outside of traditional tourist areas while in Queensland, the report found Airbnb tourism expenditure contributed $160.5 million directly to the state's economy, sustaining more than 2100 full-time equivalent jobs.

That's not to say accommodation houses aren't doing their jobs either, with massive visitation numbers being recorded in the region testament to the work being done.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Simon Latchford said our figures were at the top of the tree.

"Sunshine Coast visitor numbers are showing No. 1 for growth,'' Mr Latchford said.

"We even beat the Gold Coast for that.

"The only two to beat us are Sydney and Melbourne.''

Mr Latchford acknowledged the Sunshine Coast was building mainly residential apartments and more could be done to accommodate visitors.

"We are in such a good position with natural and man-made attractions.

"Are our man-made attractions comparable to Disneyland? Of course not.

"It's the authentic, personal. Australia Zoo, the Ginger Factory .. those are extremely personal experiences."

He said the region's strength was its natural assets, and the spotlight was being well and truly thrust upon those.

"The secret is we have an extraordinary collection of natural attractions. The Today Show is here again on Friday," Mr Latchford said.

"We have natural amphitheatres dating back millions of years, clean rivers where you can catch a fish and eat it. Some of the world's best prawns are at Mooloolaba.

"We can offer a whole range of options, from a romantic stay at Montville to a self-contained unit for a family on the beach."