Gold Coast theme parks recovering from COVID-19 pandemic as city’s tourism industry grows

Just nine months ago the Gold Coast’s biggest tourist attractions stood empty due to COVID-19 – now the city is finding its feet again.

JUST nine months ago the Gold Coast’s biggest tourist attractions stood empty due to COVID-19 – now the city is finding its feet again.

Destination Gold Coast chairman Paul Donovan said it was clear visitors were back.

Movie World carpark at Coomera was full to the brim. Photo: Scott Powick Newscorp

“Looking around you can see people are everywhere, at night restaurants are full,” he said.

“We have had a big drive tourism push for the Brisbane market which has helped.”

Village Roadshow Theme Parks chief operating office Bikash Randhawa said: “We are experiencing good numbers to the parks this holiday period with visitors from eligible markets however the Greater Sydney market is noticeably missed.”

State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it was great to see business starting to pick up over summer after such a tough year theme parks.

The empty carpark of Warner Bros. Movie World nine months ago. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Our theme parks support thousands of local jobs and are vital to the tourism industry on the Coast,” she said.

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“That’s why we’re working closely with Village Roadshow and Ardent Leisure to build new attractions and support these parks to rebuild.”