Plan to recruit Dora as tourist
BELOVED children’s character Dora The Explorer could star in more than the new feature film of her adventures currently in pre-production on the Gold Coast.
Tourism bigwigs are exploring ways to enlist Dora as our latest movie star ambassador to help promote Australia to international tourists.
Gold Coast Federal MP and Minister for Tourism, Trade and Investment Steve Ciobo said he met with execs from the US film studio behind the live-action Dora film to discuss potential opportunities.
“I have had that conversation. I met with Paramount when I was in LA earlier this year and we had a discussion around Dora and what that might look like,” he said.
“I think if Dora is going to be exploring that it certainly makes sense for Dora to be exploring Australia. That may not be the first one (film), it may not be the second one, but I think if they end up doing multiples, there’s certainly scope for us to look at that.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who stumped up funds to help lure Dora to film on the Coast, said feature was the first film in a potential Dora series to be rolled out by Paramount if it’s a success at the box office.
Ms Palaszczuk said the benefits international films such as Dora delivered went beyond local jobs and expenditure.
“The productions also bring tourism opportunities for Queensland and the chance to showcase our beautiful State to national and international audiences,” she said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the Federal Government’s new four-year, $140 million location incentive for international productions was a “positive policy change” that would benefit both the film and tourism sectors.
“It will promote Australia as a dynamic, innovative economy and tourist destination,” she said.
The fast-growing tourism and film sectors are forecast to become major economic drivers for the Australian, Queensland and local economies in the next decade.
While their direct impact on the economy overall is difficult to measure, government, business and stakeholders agree the tourism and film sectors make perfect partners.
Deputy Mayor Donna Gates said the film industry had helped diversify the city’s economy, broaden job prospects and promote the Coast to the world.
“We’re the only local authority that has an incentive attraction program and a dedicated unit to bring films to the Gold Coast,” she said.
“The vision that goes all over the world is a great thing for tourism in our city.”
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