The Sunshine Coast is home to a significant number of tourism operators that rely on support from visitors and locals alike.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said tourism was a significant contributor to the local economy and everyone should consider the importance of supporting local operators.
“Tourism continues to be a significant driver of the Sunshine Coast economy, contributing close to $2.3 billion in regional gross product and supporting an estimated 22,700 jobs,” Mr Stoeckel said
“Over the past two years the tourism industry has endured a lot. The snap lockdowns and border restrictions have certainly taken their toll and every tourism business has been impacted.
“It’s important that we continue to attract leisure and business visitors to stay and spend in our region, but equally for locals to support our tourism industry.”
Mr Stoeckel said tourism was “everyone’s business” as the whole region can share and enjoy the benefits, and that Buy Local Sunshine Coast is a significant way to celebrate what’s on offer.
“It’s what we love about where we live – from the economic benefits to greater cultural diversity, increased regional profile, local pride, new infrastructure, festivals and events.”
“The Sunshine Coast Council-led Buy Local Sunshine Coast initiative is a great way to highlight what we have right here in our backyard and support our community.
“As per Tourism Australia’s current campaign to give the gift of travel this Christmas, locals can get involved by buying a ticket to an attraction, tour or even consider a staycation on the Sunshine Coast this summer.”
Q&A with local business owners Simon Best and Billy Moore
For 26 years Augello’s Ristorante & Pizzeria has become synonymous with Mooloolaba.
Locals and tourists alike choose to visit the popular restaurant, which overlooks beautiful Mooloolaba Beach, for the great food cooked with love and flavour.
Winner of three international and five national pizza titles, diners will taste the best modern Italian food on the planet with timeless classics still available for those who are not too adventurous.
What does it mean to you to be a local business?
Being local is what keeps our business going. While Mooloolaba is definitely a tourist hub, without our locals we do not have a business.
For 12 weeks of the year tourists give Augello’s a top-up but 70 per cent of our diners are locals and we cannot thank them enough.
How important is it for the community to support local business and what impact does buying local have on the Sunshine Coast economy?
The local community support for small business is paramount for survival of all small businesses. COVID provided a spotlight on the importance of locals to survive.
With the community support it gives businesses confidence to trade, to grow and to diversify, which in the end benefits the consumer. Everyone wins.
Local winner understands business
Congratulations to Amanda Kunkenrenken who is a previous weekly winner of the Buy Local competition after dining with her son Dash at his favourite sushi shop, Hane Sushi, in Coolum Beach.
Ms Kunkenrenken understood the importance of supporting small businesses.
She is the founder of CocoDry, a natural powder you apply over your favourite brand of sunless tan, which she began after a skin cancer diagnosis in 2011.
From there, Ms Kunkenrenken opened spray tanning businesses in Australia and Canada.
Buy local, win local
We’re calling on the Sunshine Coast community to support local businesses by buying from a store with a door or online from a local business.
When you buy local, you are directly supporting local families, jobs and helping our local economy to bounce back from the impacts of COVID-19.
The Council is giving four lucky winners $2000 to spend on their chosen products and services in the Sunshine Coast region.
To enter, spend $10 in the Sunshine Coast Local Government Area, and enter your details and receipt on the Buy Local Sunshine Coast website to go into the draw to win $2000 to spend with local businesses.
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