Research to investigate new tourism event for southern Gold Coast

The recently launched Seafood Discovery Trail stretching from Currumbin to Cabarita Beach could soon be extended to include a local seafood festival thanks to work underway by tourism academics and students at Southern Cross University.

The Seafood Discovery Trail, which is a joint initiative of Connecting Southern Gold Coast and Tweed Tourism, provides visitors with a suggested itinerary including tourism activities and dining experiences focussed on the ocean and waterways.

The marketing of the trail is the subject of a research project through Southern Cross University’s Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work (CTLW) supported by Connecting Southern Gold Coast. Student Danilo (Dan) Sennewald and supervisor Professor Kerry Brown, director CTLW, will investigate how an annual event such as a seafood festival could be incorporated at a selected location on the trail.

Professor Kerry Brown said the research project, which would be presented to Connecting Southern Gold Coast and Tweed Tourism in October, was about strengthening existing businesses and creating new opportunities for the Tweed and southern Gold Coast region.

“We often see food and wine trails, but what is special about the Seafood Discovery Trail is that there is the opportunity to combine leisure and recreation activities like fishing and snorkelling with food and dining,” said Professor Brown.

“The aim of the research project is to promote local activities and businesses on a continuing basis and to look at the possibility of developing an iconic festival that highlights the unique features of the region.”

Phil Villiers, general manager of Tweed Tourism said he was looking forward to the future success of the trail.

“The Seafood Discovery Trail and the possible seafood festival give this region a great point of difference from other tourism regions,” said Mr Villiers.

“When people discover this unique aspect we hope they will also discover what else the Tweed and southern Gold Coast regions have to offer, especially in terms of the natural beauty and wide array of tourism products on offer for visitors.”

International tourism management student Dan Sennewald, who is originally from Thuringia Germany, will complete the project as part of an internship placement at the University.

“The weather, the natural environment and the local fishing spots all present some very good tourism opportunities here,” said Dan.

“I will be looking at how best to promote the trail and how an event could be used as a destination attractor for tourists and visitors to the region.”

For more information on the Seafood Discovery trail go to www.weekendnotes.com/seafood-discovery-trail/

Photo: A new Seafood Discovery Trail from Currumbin to Cabarita could soon be extended to include a seafood festival.