unshine Coast is leading the way for visitor growth in southern Queensland, experiencing a 4.6 percent growth in visitor numbers, according to National Visitor Survey results released by Tourism Research Australia today.

Welcoming 2.8 million visitors for the 2013 – 2014 financial year, Sunshine Coast was one of four Queensland destinations to experience growth and represented the largest growth for southern Queensland.

Townsville and the Whitsundays surpassed the Sunshine Coast’s performance for the state of Queensland, up 5.4 percent and 4.7 percent respectively, while Brisbane’s visitor numbers grew by one percent.

The majority of the visitor growth for Sunshine Coast was driven by the strong business, events and conference sector, which saw a significant growth of 40 percent.

The results follow equally positive International Visitor Survey results released last week, which showed a 1.8 percent increase in international arrivals, and are attributed to a complete regeneration of Sunshine Coast Destination over the past year.

“We have quality product available throughout the region and we have reviewed, revised and upgraded every area, with our strategy of diversity reflected by the broad range of events held and the results are now becoming apparent,” Sunshine Coast Destination chief executive officer Simon Ambrose said.

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