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Academic team researches attitudes to tourism
The Gold Coast can keep its theme parks and large resort complexes … Sunshine Coast residents would prefer tourists to be lured here by our cultural, historical and natural attractions.
A recent University of the Sunshine Coast study has shown that local residents would like to see the region adopt a significantly different approach from the Gold Coast in developing tourism.
A team of USC academics surveyed more than 700 residents to identify their preferred type of tourism development for the Sunshine Coast.
“In the process of developing tourism, some destinations offer cultural, historic or heritage-based or nature-based attractions, while others establish theme parks, luxury hotels and so forth,’’ senior lecturer in management Dr Bishnu Sharma said.
“Often we hear that residents of the Sunshine Coast do not want to see the Sunshine Coast as another Gold Coast. Therefore, USC academics were particularly interested to ascertain whether or not this was true.”
Dr Sharma said the study found that more than three quarters of respondents supported the idea of developing cultural/historic/nature-based attractions ahead of the development of theme parks and large hotels or resort complexes to attract tourists.
“This suggests that the focus of tourism development on the Sunshine Coast should be different from that on the Gold Coast,” he said.
The survey covered the coastal and hinterland areas of Caloundra City and Maroochy and Noosa Shires and resulted in 732 responses.
Dr Sharma said the study found the following top five preferred tourism development strategies:
1. Guided nature walks (this was the highest priority with 90% of respondents supporting this idea);
2. Provision of adequate information for tourists in the form of maps and guidebooks;
3. Organization of culture and folk events such as concerts, dance, festivals, art and crafts;
4. Launching of outdoor recreation programs such as organised hikes, bike rides and competitive events; and
5. Expansion of small independent businesses involved in providing guide services and camping grounds, and selling gifts.