Gold Coast tipped as focal point of tourism campaign to fight slowing global economy

The Gold Coast has been tipped as the focal point of a major national tourism campaign which hopes to fight a slowing global economy.

THE Gold Coast is tipped to be the focal point of a major national tourism campaign launched to combat a slowing global economy.

The Coalition Government will ramp up funding for Tourism Australia to help preserve the nation’s $136 billion visitor market.

Total funding for Tourism Australia will jump from $170 million to $175 million in 2019-20.

Main Beach was earlier this year unveiled as the face of the campaign.

At the core of this will be a new marketing campaign set to launch in September, focusing on Australia’s people and lifestyle.

Gold Coast Tourism Mayor Tom Tate said he expected the Glitter Strip and its experiences to be front and centre of the campaign.

“The federal investment in tourism is smart given the global economy is hitting some head winds,” he said.

“We are Australia’s tourism epicentre with record visitor numbers both domestically and internationally and I will be disappointed if our city is not featured heavily in this marketing campaign.

“The Gold Coast is the perfect entry point for overseas visitors with our new airport forging ahead.”

Mayor Tate expects the Coast to be front and centre of the campaign. Picture: Jerad Williams

The Budget notes that the nation’s market is facing a tough road ahead in the coming year, including:

* Slowing global economic growth.

* Gross domestic product in Australia’s key tourism markets expected to slow “due to uncertainty around Brexit and trade disputes the US and China”.

* Growth in Tourism Australia’s reliable markets is expected to be flat while up-and-coming markets such as India and Indonesia are set to increase.

* A rise in airfares on the back of increasing jet fuel costs.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR JUST $5 A MONTH FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg noted in his Budget speech that the slowing global economy was one of the largest challenges facing Australia.

Nationally, the government will spend $543 million on tourism projects in north Queensland and Victoria.

Josh Frydenberg noted the slowing global economy will be one of Australia’s biggest challenges. (AAP Image/Joe Castro)

Budget papers also reveal that visitor numbers from Asia, particularly China, India and Japan, are expected to outperform other overseas markets in coming years.

International Visitor Survey data released last week reveals 2018 was a record-breaking year for the city, with tourists staying longer and spending more following the success of last year’s Commonwealth Games.

MORE STORIES:

Coast employer gets more than 1000 applications for one job

High-flying accused fraudster’s luxury yacht frozen

Suburban shopping centre hits the market

Visitor expenditure in the region grew 17.9 per cent to a record $1.4 billion while the city saw the number of visitors from several countries increase by double-digits:

* New Zealand jumped 11.5 per cent to a record 213,000.

* The US market grew 10.2 per cent to 41,000.

* Canadian visitors increased up 28.5 per cent to 21,000

* Indian tourists went up 19.1 per cent to 38,000

* Singapore tourists increased 18.5 per cent to 34,000.

Gold Coast-based Assistant Treasurer Stuart Robert said the city and its businesses would benefit from the funds.

“Any funds delivered for tourism are good for the Gold Coast,” he said.