Premier should reconsider Coast cruise ship comment

“IF there is a cruise ship terminal in Brisbane, I see no need for one on the Gold Coast,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Perhaps the Premier should consider the plight of passengers who decide to travel to our fair city.

Disembarking at Luggage Point, bussing through an industrial setting on second-class roads and encountering an M1 car park to arrive at your destination a considerable time later leaves little opportunity to enjoy what the Gold Coast has to offer. Remember, the Gold Coast is a premium tourism destination that contributes its fair share to the state’s economy and the They not only discuss their experiences aboard ship but take them home to their family and friends.

Think about it. You want to buy something, find a tradesperson or whatever so you ask a friend trusting in and often motivated by their personal recommendation. We all do it. So imagine what you will say after arriving at our glorious Hinterland for a 20-minute stay before having to return, just enough time to relieve your bladder and smell the clean air. No, it’s not a scenario, it actually happened.

Time is money in more ways than one. It is also important how we spend it. The more time we spend at a destination and enjoy it, the more likely we are to dig deeper into our pockets. A cruise ship terminal on The Spit puts passengers within touch of the heart of the city and within 40 minutes of almost all we have to offer. That gives our visitors ample time to enjoy our city, an experience to remember fondly, encourages greater spending and a personal recommendation to family and friends to do likewise.

In retrospect, perhaps our Premier now has a need to reconsider her statement.

BOB JANSSEN, PRESIDENT GOLD COAST & HINTERLAND BUSINESS ALLIANCE