Village Roadshow’s Movie World, Sea World do deal with Surfers Paradise Alliance

GET ready for superpowers between the supertowers as a new deal puts the Gold Coast on the path to bringing theme parks to Surfers Paradise.

SUPER heroes will supercharge tourism with Gold Coast heavyweights forging a new partnership to bring theme parks to Surfers Paradise — and vice-versa.

Theme park giant Village Roadshow and Surfers Paradise Alliance have inked a deal to commit to regular joint activations in the city’s tourism heart for mutual benefit.

Village and SPA bosses, officially unveiling it this morning in Surfers Paradise, say it creates exciting opportunities for direct marketing for both.

See you in Surfers Paradise soon? Vanessa Krummenacher is joined by Sylvester, Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny and Tweety ahead of Movie World's White Christmas. Movie World operator Village Roadshow and Surfers Paradise Alliance are joining forces to cross-promote each other. Picture: Jerad Williams

Details are still being mapped out but expect to see Village’s Movie World stars Superman, Bugs Bunny and Batman in Surfers Paradise.

Likewise, an event like the Sand Safari sculpture festival in Surfers will have satellite installations at Village sites with a plan already for one at Sea World.

Village executive general manager theme parks Bikash Randhawa said: “This is a great opportunity to directly hit the tourists ourselves.

Village Roadshow executive general manager theme parks and resorts Bikash Randhawa: Picture: Regina King

“We are creating something really special for the city. We will be contributing heavily in Surfers Paradise.

“This will bring that whole precinct alive.”

Mr Randhawa said a calendar was still being planned but “the sky is the limit”.

SPA CEO Mike Winlaw approached Village a few weeks ago but it has already sparked crossover promotion.

For the past few evenings, dancers promoting Sea World’s Carnivale show opening tonight have been performing in central Surfers.

Surfers Paradise Alliance CEO Mike Winlaw. Photo: Steve Holland

Mr Randhawa is also hopeful about installing a miniature version of the Surfers Paradise sign at Sea World to spark the curiosity of visitors and those staying at the park’s resort.

“I’m very excited about working with Mr Winlaw and SPA — he’s visionary and has done a tremendous amount of work for the precinct and by working closely together we’ll create something fantastic.”

Mr Randhawa said he believed it would significantly boost interest from visitors particularly the drive market from Brisbane — to stay longer or return: “It will inspire every person currently staying just one or two days to say I need to do all these other things too.”

Super powers for the place of super towers — Surfers Paradise gets an average of 53,000 visitors through a day. Photo: David Clark

Mr Randhawa recently criticised Gold Coast Tourism for not giving theme parks enough attention in marketing material focusing on evolving cafe culture and livability.

“Given our view on where theme parks are going and the kind of exposure theme parks have been getting lately, this was an opportunity which came at the right time and we are going for it,” he said.

Mr Winlaw said the deal was a win for Surfers, its traders, theme parks and the city.

“It allows them to market their major activities and gives them an opportunity for great exposure visitors.”

Surfers is home to 50 per cent of the Coast’s hotel rooms and an average day sees 53,000 visitors. At peaks like New Year’s it’s over 100,000.

“We’re only going to be limited by our imaginations,” Mr Winlaw said. “It’s going to drive more visitation to theme parks and the Surfers precinct. There is nothing like face-to-face marketing.”