Sunshine Coast attracts Australia’s peak travel media association for Annual Convention and Gala Awards event
Australia’s peak travel media body, the Australian Society of Travel Writers (ASTW) is holding its Annual Convention and Gala Awards on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday 5 – Saturday 7 November, with over 100 delegates and industry executives coming to the region for the event in Mooloolaba.
Media delegates are also taking part in seven familiarisation tours designed to showcase the diversity of the region’s tourism attractions.
Comprising some 300 members, the Australian Society of Travel Writers has been the peak travel writing body in the country for almost 40 years. Members include writers, photographers, editors, broadcasters, filmmakers, social media and online specialists, and industry representatives who cover the world’s most interesting travel destinations and experiences.
This is the second occasion the ASTW has held its convention on the Sunshine Coast, having previously staged their event during the Sunshine Coast 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017.
The Sunshine Coast joins an illustrious group of destinations that have won the right to host the ASTW Convention. Previous destinations include Bangkok, Shanghai, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Auckland, Cairns, Sydney, Melbourne and the Hunter Valley.
Mooloolaba is the focus of the Convention and Gala Awards, with Discover Mooloolaba hosting the Welcome Event at the new Dune by Pavilion rooftop venue. The Convention is being held at the new Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, and the Gala Awards will be held at The Wharf Events Centre.
Travel media will be able to see firsthand the significant investment that has been made in new accommodation and Mooloolaba’s foreshore redevelopment project.
Media familiarisation tours will showcase Mooloolaba’s reputation as one of Australia’s most attractive destinations for water activities, premium seafood and dining, and relaxation, with tour itineraries covering the Mooloolaba waterways, the Hinterland, Glass House Mountains and Noosa.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Matt Stoeckel, said the timing of the ASTW Convention was a key factor in the Sunshine Coast pitching for the premium event.
“The opening of the first major international hotel on the Sunshine Coast in over 40 years – with a pipeline of new developments to come – along with significant infrastructure projects and our involvement in the 2032 Olympic Games provide a perfect set of ingredients to interest and inspire the visiting travel media,” said Mr Stoeckel.
“While many of the journalists are already familiar with the Sunshine Coast, hosting the Convention offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate how far the region has evolved and the diversity and quality of our attractions.
“It’s been great to see Mooloolaba Chamber of Commerce, Sunshine Coast Council and tourism operators across the region come together to deliver what will be a truly memorable event.”
President of the Australian Society of Travel Writers, Chris Ashton, commented: “We’re thrilled to be bringing the ASTW Convention and Awards for Excellence back to the Sunshine Coast. So much has changed on the Coast since our last convention here in 2017: the destination has grown in confidence, capacity, and the quality of its experiences.
“Mooloolaba, where we’ll be based, is undergoing a major regeneration of its own, making it the perfect place to see that change first-hand. Our members are in for a wonderful few days, and we’re grateful to Visit Sunshine Coast for their warm welcome and support in making this event possible.