By JORDAN CULLEN
Member for Noosa and Multicultural Affairs Minister Glen Elmes opened East Coast Car Rentals in Marcoola on Saturday in what he said was a valuable asset for local tourism.
“It’s particularly important from the point of view of Noosa because about 50 per cent of the tourist traffic that comes into the Sunshine Coast Airport, those people finished up in Noosa,” he said.
Mr Elmes said the GPS-fitted vehicles have directions to Noosa pre-set.
“They’ve flown here, they get out of a plane, they hop into a hire car and they spend their holiday in Noosa,” he said.
Mr Elmes said the businesses proximity to the airport and to Noosa was valuable for the region.
“These sorts of places are essential to our wellbeing and our future prosperity,” he said.
Company director, Dr Boon Tan, said Noosa was particularly popular for it’s climate, beaches and accommodation.
“We find that Noosa is increasingly a very, very attractive tourist destination,” he said.
Dr Tan added that while the Sunshine Coast was on the visit list, Noosa specifically was gaining popularity.
“Noosa Heads is a place that every tourist wants to visit from Asia,” he said.
“Plenty of tourists from, Singapore, China and Hong Kong.”
Manager of the Marcoola branch, Richard Elford, said their location was beneficial to customers.
“Customers get really good service being this close to the airport,” he said.
“We offer quality cars at a good price.”
