Border closure: Gold Coast hoteliers still optimistic about Christmas and New Year bookings, despite Sydney shut-out
Visitors from elsewhere are filling the gap after Sydneysiders cancelled bookings in the wake of the renewed border closure, says a leading Gold Coast accommodation provider.
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VISITORS from elsewhere are helping fill the gaps after Sydneysiders cancelled bookings in the wake of the renewed border closure, Gold Coast accommodation providers say.
Accor Pacific CEO Simon McGrath said Queenslanders holidaying at home and travellers from outside Sydney had been quick to take advantage of newly available rooms.
The multinational hospitality group provides the bulk of accommodation in the city.
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“Whilst there have been some cancellations due to the Queensland border being closed to New South Wales, the Queensland border remains open to other states and many people are still travelling,” Mr McGrath said.
“Local Queenslanders and people from other States are booking accommodation as opportunities open up to stay in our hotels, resorts and apartments, and there are still some good deals to be had.”
The Star Gold Coast was optimistic it would end the year on a high, despite hurdles.
“The Star has seen strong demand for hotel and restaurant reservations right across December-January,” a spokesman said.
“While there has been a small number of cancellations for stays over the next week or so, our bookings have been consistent from local, intrastate and interstate source markets.
“It’s clear that visitors from all parts of Australia want to head to the Gold Coast and our January reservations remain pretty much unimpacted.
“As for Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, the desire for people to celebrate here has made it necessary to open waiting lists for our restaurants as events are currently sold out.”
Main Beach Tourist Park manager Derrin Drew said cancellations had poured in from Sydney and Victorian residents who expressed uncertainty about border closures.
But the park had a waitlist stretching 14 pages and would be full for Christmas.
JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa on Ferny Ave at Surfers Paradise only reopened in recent days after renovations, amid the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.
General manager Ravinder Dhesi said: “JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa opened yesterday (Sunday) and we’ve welcomed our first guests as planned,” he said.
“We haven’t received any cancellations to date and occupancy levels continue to look strong.”
Mr Dhesi said the hotel was safeguarding against the virus with higher standards of cleanliness and protocols encouraging consistent social distancing.
“Our main priority is always the wellbeing of our guests, staff and suppliers,” Mr Dhesi said.
“We encourage everyone to adhere to guidelines imposed by authorities and to enjoy this Christmas period in the safest way possible.”
Mayor Tom Tate urged Coast residents who planned to holiday in Sydney in coming weeks to instead holiday in Queensland, as he and his wife would do.
“Ruth and I had planned a short Sydney break but we will now look to holiday in North Queensland,” he said.
“Stay local, shop local and play local but maintain all appropriate personal hygiene rules and social distance. We can beat this together.”
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