Looking to the heavens

VISIT Sunshine Coast (VSC) took the opportunity on the weekend to fight the tourism downturn on the beaches, creating a large message for those flying overhead on Qantas’ inaugural joy flight around Australia.

The seven-hour flight departed from Sydney on Sat, offering passengers a taste of tourism across state borders, with VSC constructing a plea in twometre tall letters to capture the attention of travellers.

“We hope this grand gesture will remind them how much they love the Sunshine Coast and inspire them to stop dreaming and start planning their next visit,” said Interim Chief Executive Officer Craig Davidson.

“New South Wales has traditionally been our strongest interstate market, and as we head out of the school holiday period, we are missing them more than ever,” he added.

But the eye-catching message wasn’t just being made on the ground, with special onboard commentary about what the Sunshine Coast has to offer also broadcast to Qantas passengers, with all guests gifted some locally made Kokopod Chocolate.

Visit Sunshine Coast Board Director Rodger Powell, who was aboard the flight, hailed the prospect of QF bringing tourists to the Sunshine Coast soon.

“Hopefully when the border issue is depoliticised we can get back to having direct QF services into the Sunshine Coast...the authentic virtual welcome on Coolum Beach shows just how enthusiastic real local people are to welcome back visitors.”