A 17.6% growth in day trips in 2012-2013, saw the Sunshine Coast increase its overall visitor numbers to a record 8.9 million, an increase of 8.7% on the 2011-2012 financial year.
The 17.6% growth in day trips offset a smaller fall in overnight domestic trips.
While leisure travel remained strong, supported by a major focus on events, the end of the mining boom in Queensland and national economic uncertainty significantly affected the business travel and conference sectors.
At the annual meeting of Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL), it was announced Grant Hunt, best known for developing the Voyages Hotels and Resorts brand, would replace Barrie Adams, who has been chairman since 2012.
The appointment of Hunt follows two other key appointments – new CEO Simon Ambrose (from the Margaret River Tourism Association) and new head of marketing, Laughlin Rigby (from the Irish Tourism Board).
