Star boss Geoff Hogg calls for more cross promotion among Gold Coast tourism operators

Star Queensland MD Geoff Hogg says Gold Coast tourism could get a shot in the arm if operators made this one simple change.

THE Queensland boss of the casino resort giant behind Star Gold Coast is calling for accommodation and activity providers to increase cross promotion of each other.

Star Entertainment Group Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg said companies needed to promote products available citywide and give tourists who are planning trips reasons to book longer stays.

Mr Hogg said cross promotion and joint packages needed to increase for the good of the city.

“There are little pockets of that happening but definitely not enough,’’ he said.

“I think people will see that change over the next five to 10 years as we start to work collectively to get people to stay longer.”

GOLD COAST STAR ADDS TO DORSETT WITH FIVE STAR HIGHRISE

Star Entertainment Group Queensland managing director Geoff Hogg.

Mr Hogg said when tourists logged on to Star’s website looking for a room, he wanted them exposed to a multitude of activities and dining “so suddenly it becomes ‘Why am I only staying two days, look at all the activities, maybe I’ll stay three or four’.

MORE NEWS

Bernard Salt: Gold Coast needs ‘major infrastructure’

Tourism boss blasts lack of investment in Coast

Shocking note sent to Gold Coast pet owner

“There is a real opportunity to showcase your partner’s products which at the end of the day will benefit you. As operators we need to work more with our partners and that’s about us picking up the phone and talking to, say, Village Roadshow about how we can do it.”

Mr Hogg said a collective approach with Destination Gold Coast and the state’s Tourism and Events Queensland was key.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan agreed there was a need for greater combination deals and cross-promotion

AMAZING OFFER: GET A SAMSUNG GALAXY TAB A 8.0 WITH THIS BULLETIN SUBSCRIPTION (T&Cs apply)

Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“The big end of town such as theme parks and Destination Gold Coast spend a lot of money. The more we get collectively and collaboratively gives us a bigger bang for our buck,” he said.

“There is no question the advertising is working.”

Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa said Village, which he called a “one-stop destination for our guests”, was proud of its world-class range of experiences from thrill rides and slides, state-of-the-art animal attractions, dinner and entertainment options.

“We have a dedicated team who work closely with local tourism operators to sell and promote our offerings with multi-park packages which can be purchased from retailers in tourism hot-spots such as Harbour Town and Pacific Fair through to the major accommodation suppliers from the Tweed Coast to Northern Gold Coast.

“Destination Gold Coast does a wonderful job of promoting and marketing the multitude of the city’s great tourism offerings. These campaigns provide prospective visitors with a wishlist of all the great things to do while in town, which is great cross-promotion for all operators.”