Commonwealth Games 2018: Organisers admit they scared visitors away
COMMONWEALTH Games bosses have admitted they scared people off with fears of traffic chaos and have launched a desperate bid to lure visitors to what was meant to be Australia’s biggest party.
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COMMONWEALTH Games bosses have admitted they scared people off with fears of traffic chaos and have launched a desperate bid to lure visitors to what was meant to be Australia’s biggest party.
A social media blitz spruiking the Gold Coast’s world-class dining scene will kick off as an added incentive for people in the daytrip catchment area to hit the Glitter Strip.
It is understood Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk is unhappy with the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) for a traffic management plan that scared people away altogether.
While the event has seen world records tumble in front of packed crowds, other parts of the Gold Coast have resembled a ghost town.
Speaking to The Sunday Mail, GOLDOC Chairman Peter Beattie said the strong messaging about transport plans had scared people off.
“We were worried about the traffic, of course we were,” he said.
“I think we probably did (go too far) and I accept responsibility for that. That’s not the government, that’s me.
“What we are now saying is that the traffic plans have worked really well and we want to encourage people to come down, eat at local restaurants, enjoy this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Anyone who was apprehensive about coming, don’t be.”
Games Minister Kate Jones met with Mr Beattie on Saturday and channelled her inner Price is Right host to urge people to head for the coast, where hotels have slashed prices.
“Come on down,” she said.
“What we would hate is for Queenslanders to wake up in a couple of weeks and think they should have gone.
“Even if it was before your time, we grew up with the memories of Brisbane in ’82 (hosting the Games).
“Now it’s our time.”
Crowds at the sporting events have been exceptional, but the mass exodus after sessions has left many local businesses out in the cold.
Free entertainment precincts and Games hubs were designed to prevent bottlenecks for trams and buses after events finished, but so far attendances in those precincts have been mediocre.
Main Beach cafe owner Michael Furnell said business was picking up as the Games built momentum.
“Come down and experience it,” he said.
“There’s plenty of parking, the traffic is probably better than it is on any normal weekend.”
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