MEDIA RELEASE - May 2026
Tourism Noosa has launched its new 2026–2027 Noosa Trade Travel Planner, a key international trade resource designed to inspire and educate global travel partners on where Noosa fits within an Australian holiday itinerary.
The new planner showcases Noosa’s premium nature-based experiences, eco-accredited operators and regenerative tourism philosophy, helping international agents better understand the destination and connect the right travellers with the right experiences.
The guide highlights Noosa’s commitment to regenerative travel through eco-certified accommodation and experiences, “give back” tourism opportunities and practical education around travelling thoughtfully and responsibly.
Distributed this week at the Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE), the planner will support Tourism Noosa’s international trade engagement program, with more than 120 educational appointments scheduled with buyers from the United Kingdom, Europe, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
Tourism Noosa International Trade Manager Vynka Hutton said the planner plays an important role in positioning Noosa with trade partners who are seeking destinations aligned with conscious and sustainable travel values.
“Being trade ready is incredibly important for our local tourism businesses, particularly in international markets where travel advisors continue to play a key role in influencing travel decisions and building confidence in destinations.”
“The Noosa Trade Travel Planner is designed to help agents better understand what makes Noosa unique and how to match the destination with travellers who value nature, sustainability, wellness and meaningful connection with place.
“It’s about ensuring Noosa is recommended to the right traveller - visitors who appreciate and respect the natural environment, support local businesses and want to explore thoughtfully.”
“We’re also seeing increasing demand from international trade partners for recognised sustainability certification, particularly ahead of new European Union regulations coming into effect in September 2026.”
“For Noosa operators working with European wholesalers, recognised Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) aligned certification programs such as EarthCheck and Ecotourism Australia will become increasingly important in supporting environmental and sustainability claims,” said Ms Hutton.
The planner also reinforces an important destination stewardship message for trade partners, encouraging them to inspire clients to travel responsibly and help leave Noosa better than they found it.
The planner also highlights the growing importance of recognised sustainability certification within the international travel market, particularly ahead of new European Union regulations coming into effect in September 2026. Under the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, tourism businesses working with European wholesalers will increasingly be required to substantiate environmental and sustainability claims through recognised Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) aligned certification programs. In Australia, this includes certification through EarthCheck and Ecotourism Australia, further reinforcing the value of Noosa’s eco-certified and sustainability-focused tourism operators in global markets.
A strong contingent of Noosa and regional tourism operators attended ATE alongside Tourism Noosa, showcasing the breadth of trade-ready experiences available across the destination.
Participating operators include Makepeace Island, Glen Eden Resort and The Retreat Beach Houses, Habitat Noosa and Everglades EcoSafaris, K’gari Discovery Adventure Tours, Accor Group, SkyDive Noosa, Australia Zoo, 4U Transfers and Tours, Misty View Cottages, Lovestone Cottages, Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat, Aqua Duck, Spicers Retreats, Con-Xion, Tasman Venture, Kingfisher Bay Resort, Lady Elliot Island and Visit Sunshine Coast.
The planner also features a dedicated member spotlight section showcasing trade-ready Noosa tourism businesses and experiences tailored to international markets. To read the planner visit here.
ENDS
For media enquiries contact Susan Ewington, Tourism Noosa 0412 692 961 or susan@tourismnoosa.com.au
