City must be bold or risk its appeal to our visitors
Martin Winter spent 10 years as the CEO of Destination Gold Coast. He shares his final thoughts about the city’s most vital industry after his departure last week
DECADE OF GROWTH
The tourism industry is in far better shape than when I arrived 10 years ago. Although the GFC set the whole world back, because of the strong fundamentals underpinning the destination we suffered less than other holiday spots.
To its great credit, through the tough times the Gold Coast industry didn’t lower its head; it accepted the reality, dug deep and toughed it out.
Then as the world emerged from the dark financial years we launched our Famous for Fun brand, inspired holiday makers to move into the sunshine to Australia’s favourite holiday destination for a great vacation.
Our message resonated, the industry began to invest again and in terms of visitor numbers we have continued to thrive ever since, peaking last calendar year with a record 14.7 per cent increase.
CHALLENGES TO TOURISM
But there are real challenges to overcome if we are to maintain the momentum.
The most critical is the need to build new attractions that can compete on the international stage.
We need new reasons for past visitors to return and for people to stay longer.
The Cultural Precinct is a visionary start but wouldn’t it be fantastic for the next cab off the rank to be a version of Singapore’s Garden’s by the Bay? It’s just the sort of awe- inspiring experience the Gold Coast needs and deserves.
Bold is in the Gold Coast’s DNA and we need to Think Big. In the meantime, let’s get on with the extension to the Convention Centre, find an eco-friendly way to build the cable car so we can open up the Hinterland for soft adventure, build the cruise ship terminal, beat Hawaii to the punch with an interactive World Surfing Museum and create Australia’s best Fisherman’s Wharf-style seafood restaurant precinct on The Spit.
The Broadwater is the Gold Coast’s uncut jewel and has enormous potential for superyachts, a water-curtain laser-light show to hold visitors in the city during the evening and an exceptional green space on the ocean side of the peninsular. If we could do all these things we would future-proof the city.
TOURISM POLITICS
Because these projects will need government investment or land, they are unlikely to happen unless the political imbalance we currently suffer from is redressed.
When one side of politics dominates, as is the case on the Gold Coast, it is less inclined to make promises in the lead up to elections. If the opposition thinks it can’t win the seats, it is likely to think the same. Thankfully exceptions like the Commonwealth Games do occur, and the State Government should be applauded for the contribution made jointly with the city to make it happen.
The recent fiasco in Canberra sank Federal politics to a new low and those without the courage of their convictions or who are driven by ego were mercilessly exposed. Thankfully not all politicians are alike. In our industry on the Gold Coast, we are fortunate that two unlikely bedfellows in Mayor Tom Tate and the Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones are in charge. Tom Tate has been a rock-solid, visionary supporter of the industry over my time. Kate Jones is universally acclaimed as the industry’s best advocate for the city in parliament, with genuine engagement and conviction to make things happen.
Both have been prepared to take political risks. To have been able to watch up close how they each put aside their political differences for the good of the city has been a privilege. I encourage everyone to stop whining and get behind them both.
But let’s ask more, a lot more, of our other elected officials, particularly those making big decisions on how our rapidly-growing city is being prepared for the future.
Controversial as I know it is, I want our councillors to step out of their comfort zones, travel overseas and observe first-hand how things are done better elsewhere.
It’s ridiculous we should ask them to pay themselves – we should cover their flights, accommodation and meals just like private enterprise.
But when they return they should be obliged to present to the council and to us, the ratepayers, on what they have learned and how they plan to implement changes that will benefit the whole city.
CHINA
There should be no doubt that during the past decade the Gold Coast has been lucky to have been swept up in the flood of outbound Chinese tourists now venturing around the world. It is of biblical proportions and we have only just seen the beginning. When I made the call to move our Asian office from Singapore to China in 2010, I thought it was the right thing to do, but I am still staggered by the growth we have experienced.
Today we welcome more than 300,000 Chinese a year, which is more than a quarter of the total for Australia.
The industry has worked hard to make this happen, particularly Paul Donovan and John Chan, tireless advocates for the Gold Coast and among the best known Australian tourism industry identities in all of China.
BULLETIN’S VIEW, P14