Marathon runner calls for Gold Coast tourism push in Europe

A GOLD Coast marathon runner is pushing for more focus on European travellers as Gold Coast Tourism says they are better off “fishing” for visitors in Asia and New Zealand.

Sean O'Hara has run 25 consecutive Gold Coast marathons. Pic Peter Wallis

GOLD Coast Tourism has rejected calls that they put more focus on the European market, insisting they are better off “fishing” for visitors in Asia and New Zealand.

Tourism and Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond said with the Commonwealth Games around the corner more investment was needed to promote the Gold Coast in western countries.

Margy Osmond of the Tourism and Transport Forum says it was important to focus on traditional markets like Europe. Photo: Regi Varghese

“It is equally important that we also focus on our traditional markets in Europe and US,” she said.

“Tourism Australia and TEQ have done a great job in this space with double-digit growth in recent years, from countries like Scandinavia and Italy.

“But we can always do better and what it takes is investment in that destination promotion and content.”

Sean O’Hara is disappointed with how few people know about the Gold Coast. Photo: David Clark

Marathon runner Sean O’Hara — who has competed all over the globe for more than a decade — said Europeans often have no idea the Gold Coast even exists.

“I just got back from Spain and France on tour and the same thing happened again,” he said, adding he spoke to athletes as well as locals.

“A few had heard of Melbourne because of the (2006 Commonwealth) Games and Brisbane but when it came to the Gold Coast, they have no idea where it is.”

Mr O’Hara said there didn’t seem to be any difference in how many people knew about the Coast compared to 12 years ago.

Italian tourists have jumped by 72 per cent during the last financial year.

Statistics compiled by Tourism Research Australia showed tourist numbers from Italy last year jumped by 72 per cent, from 4600 in the 2015-2016 financial year to 7900 visitors 12 months later.

Visitor numbers also increased by 21 per cent from Scandinavia while other European countries recorded a 10 per cent jump.

“Wherever I’ve been, I’m like an ambassador, I tell them about the great weather, the beaches, the theme parks, the Hinterland,” Mr O’Hara said.

Sean O’Hara wants European travellers to know about the Gold Coast and holiday here.

Gold Coast Tourism executive director Dean Gould said the agency is focused on prioritising marketing into areas where visitors come from.

He said while the UK featured in the top 10 international markets, China, New Zealand and Japan were the top three countries for international visitors.

More than 300,000 Chinese and 200,000 New Zealanders visited the Gold Coast last financial year.

Dean Gould says GC Tourism ‘fish where the fish are’. Picture Glenn Hampson

“We do spend quite a bit of time over there and work closely with Queensland Tourism in London,” he said.

“We have enough people from Germany or France to appear on visitor statistics, but beside that not many (other European visitors) come directly to the Gold Coast.

“(Gold Coast Tourism) has finite funds, we fish where the fish are.”

Mr Gould said the tourism body continuously monitored trends across the globe and had recently seen interest sparking in places like India and Canada.

“I think it’s fabulous Sean’s out there spruiking the Gold Coast,” he said.

“We keep watching the brief of the international market and are aware of where the trends are coming from.”