By Alan LanderHinterland business have been urged to pool their resources in a bid to cash in on the new cruise ship visits to the Sunshine Coast, with a plan for transporting passengers to a varied day-trip experience.Last week, P&O's Pacific Pearl disembarked 1700 passengers into Mooloolaba on lighter boats following an unsuccessful visit last year, due to inclement weather.Australia Zoo and Eumundi Markets were the main beneficiaries of the recent visit, but the next three visits by P&O ships will be on dates when Eumundi's famous markets will not be operating - which will present a golden opportunity for passengers to instead take a day trip into other parts of the Coast's hinterland.Sunshine Coast Destination (SCDL) deputy chair Mark Skinner said hinterland businesses could quite easily benefit from the cruise market."We need local businesses collaborating to ensure we capture part of this lucrative new tourism market," Mr Skinner said."Cruise lines work with wholesale agents to sell excursions to their passengers. It’s important for local businesses to be aware of the travel distribution process, and how to be a part of the market."SCDL can assist with this process through their trade division," he said."There is a real opportunity for local operators to work together to create attractive day trip itineraries – a combination of attractions, sightseeing, food and transport. This can then be presented as a package through one business.The hinterland's new magazine, Come On Up, is willing to assist with publicity. Editor Kerry Brown said the cruise line market for the hinterland was "too good to miss", "When the next boat arrives in August we have organised our team to meet the passengers as they disembark and invite them to Come On Up to the Hinterland."A local business operator reported many passengers explained they had never heard of Mooloolaba and much of the Sunshine Coast before visiting, so it was a great way for the coast to establish itself and make a real impression as a holiday destination.”Mayor Mark Jamieson said early feedback from visitors and P&O directors about their Sunshine Coast experience had been glowing.Meanwhile, P&O's corporate affairs manager David Jones said the Pacific Pearl visit had exceeded expectations."We were delighted with how it all went; the standout thing for us was the welcome from the community on the Sunshine Coast," he said."We knew they were enthusiastic, but the reality was even bigger than we expected."Captain Tony Herriot was at the helm (of Pacific Pearl) - he also captained the inaugural visit - so he was looking forward to seeing passengers disembark this time."