Golden age: Gold Coast business leaders reveal what the city needs to do to capitalise on the Commonwealth Games
TWO of the Gold Coast’s leading business and tourism figures have revealed what the Gold Coast needs to make the future golden and why we must reap the rewards of the Commonwealth Games.
Opinion
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TWO of the Gold Coast’s leading business and tourism figures have revealed what the Gold Coast needs to make the future golden and why we must reap the rewards of the Commonwealth Games.
The right infrastructure is vital if the Gold Coast is to seize opportunities
The Gold Coast is a city of extraordinary potential.
It has a tourism opportunity that is compelling, immediate and undeniable.
The forecasts, supported by research and recent data, have been consistent. Population and tourism are on a significant and sustainable long-term growth curve.
GOLDEN AGE: WHAT THE GOLD COAST NEEDS
They are cornerstones that underpin The Star Entertainment Group’s confidence in the Gold Coast and its future.
Population expansion from local growth, interstate and overseas migration, with more domestic and international tourists layered over the top, create an exciting platform for business activity and jobs.
Add to the mix the evolution and maturation of the city and it’s a cocktail for prosperity and success.
However, forecasts alone will not deliver tangible benefits or elevate the city to the national pre-eminence it clearly deserves.
Planning and implementing the necessary infrastructure to leverage the opportunities at hand are critical to good outcomes.
So, we welcome this campaign by the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Shining a light on what the city needs, and the direction it needs to follow to fully leverage its future, provides an ideal forum for responsible discussion and debate.
Transport, infrastructure, and connectivity are issues which will impact us all as this city moves into a prolonged growth phase.
How seamlessly the Gold Coast operates in the future, and the value proposition it can deliver to its residents and visitors, will be determined by today’s solutions and actions.
If I call out one area of concern from the tourism perspective, it is the need for more hotel rooms to meet an ever-rising demand for high-end accommodation, especially from international visitors.
This is an issue our company is trying to assist in closing.
There is no doubt we are at the beginning of a golden age in tourism.
More importantly, a Golden Age for the Gold Coast.
Matt Bekier is CEO of Star Entertainment Group
We need planning and investment for the future
The Gold Coast is Australia’s holiday playground and at Village Roadshow Theme Parks we remain committed to providing world-class entertainment experiences for our locals and visitors through our theme parks, attractions and accommodation properties, Warner Bros. Movie World, Sea World, Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast, Australian Outback Spectacular, Paradise Country and Sea World Resort.
GOLDEN AGE: WHAT GOLD COAST FAMILIES WANT
We are extremely proud of our position as an industry leader and have a continued focus on investment and growth for the city with new experiences such as Australia’s first Topgolf which will open on the 15th of June.
By partnering with the Gold Coast Bulletin on this campaign, we hope to help lead the conversation and set the agenda to find the best ideas and solutions for many of the topics at the forefront of the city following from the success of the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games provided a great platform to showcase our parks and the city to the world with GOLDOC and the Gold Coast City Council doing a great job in ensuring the city experiences a positive, lasting legacy.
It is vital that the city continues to reap the rewards of hosting the games and we build momentum by developing a strategy that will deliver long term prosperity for the Gold Coast.
We need to ensure there is sufficient planning and investment for the future and hope by sparking a conversation we can encourage tangible and achievable initiatives which will support the city and its communities.
I don’t believe there is any city in the world that can rival the family friendly lifestyle we enjoy here on the Gold Coast and it is great to be a part of this campaign which will inspire the community.
Clark Kirby is CEO of Village Roadshow theme parks
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