Tourism alive and well on the Sunshine Coast

ACCORDING to Sunshine Coast Tourism’s (SCT) manager, Sandy Birch, there were as many tourists who visited our area over the most recent Christmas and New Year as in other years, but the difference was the shorter length of their stay.

Birch was giving an overview of the last season at the SCT networking meeting at the Royal St Andrew’s Hotel last Thursday evening. She said that the number of new events that had taken place, specifically at Kenton-on-Sea, was great for the younger people of the area.

However, because these events clashed with long-standing favourites Birch said it may be necessary to move the ox braai a few days earlier, or the next set of Kenton events may have to begin earlier.

She said residents and visitors had reported that service in the area was very slow.

Restaurants recorded similar numbers to those of last year, although Birch also said that diners were spending less and went home a little earlier than in previous years. However, one of Port Alfred’s most popular dining destinations experienced a drop in diners, mainly due to sewage spills that put many visitors off eating there.

Those who booked into self-catering establishments tended to bring their own food with them this past season.

The sale of small luxury items showed a definite decline but the sale of larger luxury items actually increased over the period. Clothing stores also saw an increase in sales.

Those visitors interested in adventure activities such as hiking, canoeing, horse-riding and boating adventures also saw an increase.

Summarising her presentation, Birch said that the season had been better than initially expected and that the number of first-time visitors to the area had increased.

“We are expecting better for the 2018 season,” she concluded.