WINNING IN LONG RUN
SPORTS events mean big business for the Gold Coast and because of their success, the nation also benefits.
The coming year will become our city’s moment in the sun.
The Commonwealth Games will be a major boost to the city, state and national economies. Keeping ticket prices within the budget constraints of families has been an inspired move, ensuring venues and events will be sold out and turning the Games spectacle into something that will live on in the hearts and memories of locals and visitors for decades to come.
But we do not have to look that far into the future for a glimpse of how sports and events tourism is a major driver for the Gold Coast’s economy.
For an up-close view of how sports and tourism mix, residents need only wander down to the Broadwater Parklands this weekend or anywhere along the route to witness the Gold Coast Marathon and its associated events – the wheelchair full marathon and 15km races, the half marathon, the 10km and 5.7km events, and the two junior dash races.
Organisers say they have close to 27,000 entries across all events. All those runners bring teams of family and friends, turning the marathon weekend into a boon in the middle of winter. Last year it injected $24 million into the economy, according to independent audit figures commissioned for Tourism Events Queensland. A marathon spokesman told the Bulletin yesterday last year’s marathon generated more than 79,000 visitor nights.
The marathon has become a favourite for teams and events tour groups from overseas. Word keeps spreading and the marathon, along with major events like the Gold Coast 600 motor racing, the Magic Millions, the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro surfing, lifesaving, triathlon, national rugby league and Australian football, golf, and a host of other sporting competitions have turned the city into an important sports destination.
The Gold Coast has not gone unnoticed internationally. In its latest appraisal, London-based sports marketing intelligence provider Sportcal ranked our city 21st in a world list of 621 sporting destinations, well ahead of Los Angeles (39th), Sydney (70th) and Melbourne (95th).