Why Gold Coast visitors aren’t reconsidering travel plans despite coronavirus threat

Despite various travel warnings, these visitors to the Gold Coast didn’t reconsider their trip to the glitter strip. Here’s why.

DESPITE various travel warnings, the Gold Coast is still abuzz with domestic and international tourists who say they’re not buying into “hype” surrounding the coronavirus.

Jack and Theresa Drummond have visited the city every year for the past 32 years from Scotland and while they had noticed it’s quieter than usual, they never once considered cancelling their trip.

“We love it here and the whole thing has been blown out of proportion, there’s so much hype around it at the moment. Whereas in fact more people die because of influenza, it certainly isn’t something we’re worried about,” she said.

LATEST FACTS AND FIGURES ON CORONAVIRUS

Tourists Theresa and Jack Drummond. Pic Mike Batterham

“Walking along the beach at sunrise and then having a quiet coffee in a shaded spot is how we start our day when we’re holidaying on the Gold Coast. It’s such a wonderful place to holiday.”

Nil Colomer travelled up from Sydney to visit a friend and said the beaches here were better than Bondi Beach and he wouldn’t stop travelling despite outbreaks of the coronavirus.

“This is my third time here and I’m not going to stop coming anytime soon. It’s also a great place to party at night,” he said.

An American-based CrossFit crew visiting for the Australian CrossFit Championships at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre joked next time they would bring toilet paper with them.

COAST HAIR STYLIST LATEST INFECTED WITH CORONAVIRUS

Tourists Pictured in the Broadbeach Mall not concerned about the virus and traveling. L-R From USA Matt Dettmann, Taylor Streid, Nick Colgin, Kristin Miller, Brittany Hill and Chase Hill. Pic Mike Batterham

THEME PARKS LAUNCH NEW ATTRACTIONS TO BOOST TOURISM

Nick Colgin said the team was in Miami in Florida a few weeks and they were having more fun on the Gold Coast than they were there. After seeing the Skypoint Climb at the Q1 on The Bachelor Mr Colgin said the team decided to book tickets.

They had also been eating out and enjoying locally during their stay, no doubt pleasing Tourism Minister Kate Jones who has implored people eat and dine out and about.

“We love it here, the Gold Coast is such an amazing place, with its beaches and everyone is super friendly. We’ll be back and next time we’ll bring toilet paper,” he said.