'Destination of choice': $2.52 million tourism funding deal secured

A local council is set to sign a new two-year funding agreement with its peak tourism body.

Noosa Council’s $2.52 million Funding and Performance Agreement with Tourism Noosa replaces the existing agreement and would provide extra checks and balances.

Council’s environment and sustainable development director Kim Rawlings said the new agreement introduced new performance measures and more frequent reporting obligations.

“It provides for quarterly reporting as opposed to every two years under the former agreement, which means greater accountability,” Ms Rawlings said.

“The agreement is also underpinned by strong collaboration between council and Tourism Noosa on key Tourism Noosa documents and plans, including marketing and events strategies.

“The new agreement has been through a legal review and negotiated closely with Tourism Noosa and it also paves the way for Tourism Noosa to explore additional revenue streams.”

Related story: Coast seen as major player in tourism growth

A Destination Management Plan, to be developed with the community, will inform Noosa’s future tourism marketing strategies and actions.

“The new arrangements enable Tourism Noosa to balance our collective aspirations for Noosa as a community and destination after the adoption of the Destination Management Plan,” Deputy Mayor Frank Wilkie said.

“The Destination Management Plan will help fine-tune Tourism Noosa’s role. But in the meantime, this agreement will provide certainty for TN to keep marketing Noosa to high-spending interstate and international visitors.

“Tourism Noosa has performed well over the past 20 years positioning Noosa as a destination of choice for high-yield travellers, who spend more than day trippers and tend not to drive.”

Council ratified the new agreement at its ordinary meeting last month.

The $2.52 million annual funding will be paid in two instalments.