Membership Prospectus 2021-2022
#TeamSunshineCoast www.teamsunshinecoast.com
Alexandra Headland
2 | Visit Sunshine Coast Membership Prospectus 2021 - 2022
Welcome to team Sunshine Coast Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) is thrilled to be your official Regional Tourism Organisation. To say FY2020/2021 was a turbulent year would be a total understatement, and I thank the resilience and commitment of all our members in navigating a way through the global pandemic. Despite the challenging conditions for travel during 2020, the Sunshine Coast attracted over 3 million domestic overnight visitors with a spend over $2 billion and drew 6.2 million day trip visitors. That’s not bad at all, with new strategies in response to the circumstances around COVID19 being very successful. We invite you to join VSC as a valued member to connect your business with our programs and
services, as there has never been a more important time to work together. The program this year provides businesses with a base level membership and two additional options that allow you to choose what Is best for your business. From workshops designed to take your marketing to the next level, resources on using social media to your advantage or support for becoming trade ready; VSC’s membership opportunities are designed to accelerate your business. We hope you will join as a member in FY2021/2022 to take advantage of the opportunities outlined in the Membership Prospectus, and look forward to working closely with you. Matt Stoeckel - CEO Visit Sunshine Coast
Acknowledgenent of Country
Visit Sunshine Coast acknowledges the Sunshine Coast Country, home of the Kabi Kabi peoples and the Jinibara peoples, the Traditional Custodians, whose lands and waters we all now share. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the important role First Nations people continue to play within the Sunshine Coast community.
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Our people are our greatest asset.
We live and breathe being “for real” and are passionate ambassadors of the Sunshine Coast. We are committed to the organisation’s values and each other.
4 | Visit Sunshine Coast Membership Prospectus 2021 - 2022
About us Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC), is a not-for profit, membership based, destination marketing organisation whose primary purpose is to promote the region as a leisure and business event destination through global and domestic trade, media and travel industry channels. As the Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO), VSC is responsible for a geographical area that encompasses the Glass House Mountains in the south, to Rainbow Beach in the north, the Hinterland and Mary Valley to the west and includes three council regions – Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie. Our focus is to effectively manage the visitor economy in the Sunshine Coast to maximise the contribution it makes to tourism industry stakeholders. As a member-based organisation, we are committed to add-value to our members through our membership model. Vision Visit Sunshine Coast is leading a sustainable tourism industry that is united by a distinct “For Real” brand. Mission VSC will lead the tourism industry in promoting the Sunshine Coast’s “For real” experiences and build a sustainable tourism industry that will maximise the long-term benefits of the visitor economy to the region.
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Sunshine Coast
The Tourism Opportunity National Visitor Statistics Visiting friends & relatives
983,000
Holiday
176,000
Business
203,000
Average length of stay
3.5nights
Spend per visitor
$705
Spend per night
$187
3M total overnight $2.7B visitors
10.5M nights
Intrastate Visitors
+7%
visitor expenditure
6.2M +6.8% day trips
$603M
expenditure
Interstate Visitors
Intrastate
2.7 million
Interstate
363,000
Holiday
1.5 million
Holiday
178,000
Visiting friends & relatives
132,000
Visiting friends & relatives
851,000
The figures are for the year ended December 2020. * Tourism Research Australia Tourism Satellite Accounts 2019 6 | Visit Sunshine Coast Membership Prospectus 2021 - 2022
Kondalilla Falls
Tourism is a significant driver of the
Sunshine Coast economy, contributing to close to $3billion in regional gross product and supporting an estimated 26,000 jobs*.
As a destination we continue to set new records and achieve new milestones, even in the face of the unprecedented challenge of COVID19. This is a testament to the appeal of the destination and continued efforts by industry to provide a world-class visitor Experience.
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Our beaches
are pristine and clean. For real. Our hinterland is lush and bountiful. For real. Our people are friendly and welcoming. For real. In fact, our whole region is brimming with the best Australia has to offer — for real.
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Brand The Sunshine Coast was branded ‘Naturally Refreshing’ for many years. And while this positioning has served us well, in 2019 we decided to test its effectiveness. We set out to find our brand’s new ‘place in the sun’. Research told us the “Naturally Refreshing” brand position was not distinctive. When we spoke with travellers they told us that most holiday destinations feel manufactured for tourists. Put simply, they don’t feel… real. But what travellers were really craving were “truly authentic experiences”, something The Sunshine Coast has in abundance. In 2020, we launched the new For real brand.
Check out our brand transformation story here.
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Why be a
member
Whether you’re new to tourism, an established business or just want to stay up to date with the Sunshine Coast tourism industry, being a member of VSC is a great way to stay connected and up-to-date with the tourism industry and its influence on the Sunshine Coast.
Membership entitles you to the following opportunities:
$250
A dedicated membership team to offer advice and help to maximise your membership. Stand out from the crowd with a membership certificate and sticker Stay up to date with trends and opportunities via regular eNewsletters and industry news Access Team Sunshine Coast member portal including our extensive image library Invitation to our quality networking functions. * Learn and be inspired by the best - access to training and workshops to lift your business performance* Promote your brochure in VSC operated and accredited Visitor Information Centres. ** Promotion through our new website and campaigns via FREE submission of deals Opportunity for inclusion in VSC co-operative marketing campaigns. *
*Additional costs may apply ** Subject to suitability and availability of display at various Visitor Information Serenity Falls, Buderim Centres 10 | Visit Sunshine Coast Membership Prospectus 2021 - 2022
As a memeber of VSC, you’re
primed for action and want to make the most of your connection with the VSC team and our members.
Membership
team
We are proud to be a part of ‘Team Sunshine Coast’, we love the region and we want to share our passion. VSC has a dedicated team ensuring our industry are maximising their membership opportunities. With years of industry experience the team can relate to our members and provide practical suggestions to combat common struggles faced in their businesses. Please contact the team if you have any questions.
Andrew Fairbairn
Anke Hoppe
Industry & Membership Development Manager Ph: 0427 562 100
Destination Support Officer Ph: 5458 8800
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Add-ons
Additional Member Opportunities In addition to the opportunities provided in your VSC membership, businesses can select a category specialised membership including:
Trade & International
+$250
Promoting the Sunshine Coast to our trade and international Markets has never been more important. The Trade and International add-on will enable your business to leverage VSC’s promotion to key industry partners and invitations to participate in sales missions, trade shows and familiarisations. The experienced trade and international team will provide guidance and training opportunities to assist your business. Opportunities include: Invitation to participate in trade and international ready programs and scholarships. * Your business listed in the International Travel Planner. Opportunities to showcase your business to travel trade familiarisation visits. Inclusion in relevant VSC tradeshow representation and trade training programs. ** Invitation to participate in VSC led onshore/offshore sales missions. ** Opportunity for inclusion in international marketing campaigns. ** * Additional costs may apply ** Access to trade and International benefits on provision of product suitability and operators agreement to pay required commission levels
12 | Visit Sunshine Coast Membership Prospectus 2021 - 2022
Business Events
+$250
Business Events add-on will enable members to leverage additional promotion and networking opportunities specific to the business events/incentive industry. You will be invited to participate in business event workshops, trade shows and familiarisations to further promote your event offering. We encourage this add on for related businesses including venues, suppliers, accommodation providers, tours, transport, team building, event hire and restaurants who either attract or support the business event industry. Additional business event opportunities include: Full product listing on the businesseventssunshinecoast.com Opportunity to join the regional stand at relevant business events trade shows * Product promoted by business events staff to the incentive travel market** Showcase your business to relevant business event familiarisation visits**
Promotion of product or service to business event media partners for editorial and campaign inclusion (Digital & Print) * Additional costs may apply ** Access to Business Event opportunities subject to product suitability
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How do I
become a member?
http://www.teamsunshinecoast.com/membership members@visitsunshinecoast.com (07) 5458 8800
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