Queen’s Wharf Brisbane and The Star Gold Coast will help lead tourism recovery
The boss of one of Queensland’s biggest tourism operators has been reminded to not lose sight of the state’s positive outlook. And it was few simple words from his daughter that set him straight.
Future QLD
Don't miss out on the headlines from Future QLD. Followed categories will be added to My News.
“The worst thing about this virus” my daughter said, “is that it’s all you grown-ups ever talk about. What did you talk about before the virus?”
She has a point – we all know how painful and deeply disruptive COVID-19 has been for many industries, especially tourism. But it does not change the strong fundamentals underwriting the attractiveness of tourism in Queensland.
Kickstart Qld: Fast rail an election winner, survey finds
Blueprint for fast rail plan to unlocked SEQ and create 8000 jobs
Kick-start Queensland: Sky’s the limit for jobs under roadmap
We will need to adapt in the short-term, understand the landscape and be incredibly focused.
Given the ongoing uncertainty around the timing of international borders reopening, the green
shoots for recovery will be domestically driven.
History has already told us international tourism recoveries take one to three years after natural disasters or global pandemics and acts of terrorism.
However, we also know that unbroken economic growth since the 1990s, more accessible
destinations and low-cost carriers have been the platforms for more Australians to travel overseas.
So, while we’re not expecting to see an immediate return to the millions of international visitors who were coming here pre-COVID, it stands to reason most Australians won’t travel overseas either.
Let’s welcome them to Queensland. Show them what they have missed all this time.
Some of the top international outbound destinations for Australians involve holidays on the beach: Bali, Hawaii, Fiji. I can think of a few places in Queensland that give them a run for their money.
I have no doubt there is a strong pent up demand for entertainment experiences and tourism
destinations and those in the sector that target intrastate and interstate visitors can thrive before international travellers return to Queensland.
As CEO at The Star, I am confident about the future. Tourism will rebound domestically and, in time, internationally.
I’m excited that our multibillion-dollar development projects currently progressing in Brisbane and the Gold Coast will both be completed in 2022.
The $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf project will transform the Brisbane CBD with four hotels, more than 50 restaurants, cafes and bars, four football fields of open space, a Sky Deck, a moonlight cinema, world-class gaming facilities and riverfront revitalisation.
This will be a place, first and foremost, for Brisbane locals to enjoy: a destination with myriad
attractions and entertainments. It will be the go-to location for people to meet, relax, stay, dine, or take a selfie from the Sky Deck more than 100m above the river.
In fact, no integrated resorts of this scale are being built anywhere in the world right now. When we open, Brisbane will pop.
At the Gold Coast, we have Australia’s first Dorsett hotel and apartments tower rising on
Broadbeach Island. A second tower as part of our proposed $2-billion-plus masterplan could be green-lit in coming months.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane: New Sports Bar to provide ultimate fan experience
Ultimately, our masterplan will see us deliver a resort on the Gold Coast on a scale to rival Queen’s Wharf.
These are projects we believe in. Just as we believe in the future of Queensland and the future of tourism in the Sunshine State.
Hey Harriet, now I remember: that’s what we used to talk about!
Matt Bekier is The Star managing director and CEO
