As COVID-19 restrictions continue to lift across the Sunshine Coast a new community campaign has been launched to encourage locals to support Sunshine Coast businesses and help kick start our region’s economic recovery. The campaign, #SupportSunshineCoast, was developed and co-ordinated by local Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace, with the support of local business groups including Caloundra Chamber of Commerce and the Caloundra Business Alliance.
Mr Wallace said that the Sunshine Coast has everything we could want or need right here on our doorstep.
“Where else can you swim with whales, enjoy world class food looking over the beach, hike the Glass House Mountains, and get access to the latest fashions all in one day?” Mr Wallace said.
“There is so much our community has to offer, but all too often we are too busy thinking of our next trip away to truly appreciate it. As we emerge from this COVID-19 crisis, this is the perfect time to remember how lucky we are to live on the Sunshine Coast. If you live down here on the Coast, it’s time to spend a weekend in a lodge in the stunning Hinterland. If you live up the Range, why not spend a weekend here by the beach and breathe the sea air?” Mr Wallace said.
There were more than 1.6 million overseas visitor nights on the Sunshine Coast in 2018/19, while total tourism sales were more than $3.2 billion. However, significant restrictions on international travel are expected to remain in place for the foreseeable future.
“There is no escaping the fact that the COVID-19 restrictions needed to keep us safe are going to continue to have a big impact on the Sunshine Coast for months to come. Many of our businesses are struggling without overseas visitors and many people are waiting to get back to work. We need to pull together as a community and do all we can to encourage and support local businesses ourselves. So, support the Sunshine Coast, shop local, stay local and play local; and while you’re at it, tell your friends all about it. I hope to see thousands of posts with the #SupportSunshineCoast hashtag in the months to come.” he said.
Mr Wallace will encourage locals to get involved by enjoying the Sunshine Coast’s world class experiences in shopping, food and drink, accommodation or leisure, and sharing an image of them doing so on social media with the hashtag #SupportSunshineCoast, and the supporting hashtags #shoplocal, #staylocal and #playlocal. The campaign includes partnerships with local business groups across the southern and central Sunshine Coast to encourage more individuals and companies to get involved.
Olivia Sainsbury, CEO of the Caloundra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said “Everybody’s open, everybody is ready for trade, so now it’s up to us, the local community, to come out and support our local businesses. Come up here, have a stroll, have a shop, grab yourself some food and coffee and go for a picnic. We’ve got beautiful beaches to walk along and wonderful activities to do. We’re really keen on everyone getting on social media and putting those hashtags up. So hopefully we’ll see you out and about on the Sunshine Coast very soon.”
Mr Wallace will promote the campaign widely, through newspaper advertising, online and social media, his email database of thousands of locals, and through a mailout to all residents of the southern and central Sunshine Coast. Mr Wallace also intends to promote the campaign face to face during his upcoming annual Tour de Fisher ride around the region and through the distribution of branded shopping bags in major shopping areas.
For more information visit www.andrewwallacemp.com.au/supportsunshinecoast. Any business, or community group wishing for add their support with activities under the campaign’s banner is welcome to contact the Office of Andrew Wallace MP on 07 5493 5556.
