Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL) Trade and International Manager, Jan Foletta joined 20 other tourism operators last week as part of the 'Queensland on Tour' Europe trade mission.

The ‘Queensland on Tour’ Europe trade mission organised by Tourism Queensland visited Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.

Other representatives raising the profile of the Sunshine included Kylie Stever of Spicers Group, Keith Murray from Glasshouse Mountains Eco Lodge and Wade Batty from The Discovery Group.

SCDL CEO, Steve Cooper said the aim of the mission was to raise the profile of the Sunshine Coast, our tourism experiences and increase business for operators throughout the region.

“SCDL met with 55 travel wholesalers, premier Aussie specialist retail agents, media, and airlines during the week-long sales visit. There was a very strong interest in the Hinterland, along with the Noosa and Fraser Island touring options.

“On the whole, this was a terrific opportunity to strengthen and establish relationships with key European wholesalers in a series of face-to-face workshops,” Mr Cooper said.

Mr Cooper said Europe was an important international market for the Sunshine Coast and wider Queensland region despite the market continuing to feel the impact of the global financial crisis.

“The Sunshine Coast welcomed approximately 67,312 Europeans in the year to June 30 2012. Germany accounts for 31% of these total visitors and they continue to be a resilient market with visitors staying longer,” he said.