PLATFORM IS LAID & WE’RE UP FOR IT

THERE is an exciting decade of opportunity ahead for the

Gold Coast.

It is no secret that the impacts of Covid-19 have hit the heart and soul of our city over the past 18 months. We were a $5.9bn sector and, since the beginning of the pandemic, Gold Coast’s visitor economy has lost $3.8bn in revenue and six million visitors. From mum-and-dad operators to hoteliers, and attractions, we all felt it. Our tourism workforce was at the coalface, with tourism and transport data showing the region lost 20 per cent of industry jobs.

What hasn’t changed is that the Gold Coast is still recognised as a holiday haven, home to world-class dining and entertainment, theme parks, subtropical rainforest, adventure and family fun. As Queensland reaches vaccination targets, borders open and consumer confidence returns – the postponed and cancelled holidays will finally come to fruition. We know there is pent-up demand to capitalise on as the most searched for holiday destination in the country.

The City of Gold Coast and Mayor Tom Tate have spearheaded the delivery of key projects like the HOTA Gallery, a world-class floating reef dive attraction due for completion in early 2022 and trialling of a beach bar this summer. And hovering on the horizon is 3000 rooms in the construction pipeline including the opening of the Dorsett Hotel, The Langham and The Mondrian, and let’s not forget Gold Coast Airport’s $500m terminal expansion which will be critical in growing our visitor economy.

But we need to keep going.

New thinking and courageous decision-making will ensure we not only recover what we have lost but cement our title as Australia’s No.1 visitor destination.

The region has been the successful global stage for the Commonwealth Games in 2018 and its now going to play a major role in the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for southeast Queensland to use the next 10 years as a runway to optimise the benefits of this drawcard event, accelerate urban transformation and address increasing demands on our supporting infrastructure.

The 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will bring a global spotlight, visitors from all over the world and $20bn in tourist spending to Queensland, and we know there will be significant benefit for the Gold Coast beyond the games themselves.

Games-focused activity will culminate in citywide collaboration to attract major and mass participation sporting events, visitation, students, longer term talent and targeted business events.

So, the platform has been laid and we need to keep the momentum going.

We hope major projects like The Spit master plan and the light rail extension to the Gold Coast Airport to fully connect the city corridor are completed promptly to increase appeal and connectivity.

There is tremendous opportunity for invigorated products and experiences, with a focus on sustainable, Indigenous and nature-based tourism that could offer significant potential for the Gold Coast to carve out a greater slice of the tourism pie.

We need support for an expansion of business events facilities to take advantage of future growth in corporate events, conferences and incentives.

We must strive to diversify the Gold Coast’s visitor economy and interconnected industries. There has never been a better time for collaboration and innovation, and the Gold Coast is certainly up for it.