THINK TANK: Wyndham boss Barry Robinson opens up about the Gold Coast and what can be done to improve it

WYNDHAM boss Barry Robinson opens up about what he thinks the Gold Coast could improve on, including a high-speed railway system.

Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director Wyndham Hotel Group South East Asia and Pacific Rim Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific - IMAGES SUPPLIED

Wyndham boss Barry Robinson knows better than most the intersection of business and travel. He believes the potential for both to boom on the Coast is better infrastructure — particularly when it comes to transport.

Biography:

As president and managing director South East Asia and Pacific Rim for Wyndham Hotel Group and Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific, Barry Robinson not only has the longest title in the city, but he’s head of one of the Gold Coast’s largest private employers — with about 600 locals on the books. Mr Robinson oversees 70 hotels and resorts across Australia, NZ, Fiji, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Guam, Malaysia and Thailand — and more are under development. Born into a hospitality family on New Zealand, 20-year-old Mr Robinson at first bucked tradition at moved to Australia to start a trucking business on the east coast — much to his parents’ distaste. He redeemed himself in their eyes when he returned to his home country and the hotel trade — becoming a general manager for Quality Inns at 27. He’s also held senior positions with Swissôtel Worldwide Partner Hotels and Choice Hotels International in Asia.

What do you love about the Gold Coast?

“I am passionate about surfing, so I really appreciate living close to some of the best surfing beaches in Australia.

“I love being able to surf world-class breaks like Kirra, Snapper, The Spit and South Straddie in the mornings before I start work. The boating is fantastic too. You cannot beat the Gold Coast’s beaches and waterways.”

What do you think can be done better on the Gold Coast?

“Better planning and infrastructure for our road systems. As anyone who works in areas like Bundall and Southport would know, the traffic during peak hours is getting more and more congested.

“Tourism numbers are on the rise, and this will be boosted even more by direct flights from China and the Commonwealth Games in 2018. An estimated extra 320,000 people could be living here by 2035, so the traffic is only going to get worse. Improved road and transport systems are needed.

“As well as its appeal as a fun and livable city, I would love to see the Gold Coast marketed better as a viable business hub. From our Gold Coast headquarters here in Bundall, we run a portfolio of more than 70 hotels and resorts across South East Asia and the Pacific Rim as well as the region’s largest vacation club.

“The lifestyle is enviable, and there is no reason why more big business could not relocate here.

I think one of the key approaches to achieving this is implementing the plans to extend the runway at the Gold Coast Airport, in order to attract more international flights.”

In your travels, what have you seen being done elsewhere you think could work well here?

“More commercial uses of our beaches, without compromising the integrity of them.

“The type of activities I have seen working well in places like San Tropez, Mykonos and Nice include vendors supplying food and beverages, umbrellas, sunscreen and so forth as well as access to more water sports and beach dining.

“The beach vendors would, in turn, have the responsibility of keeping their patch of the beaches clean. They could bring back ‘Al the Suntan Man’ to Surfers Paradise beach, but with sunscreen rather than tanning oil.”

If money, laws, time and approvals were no issue, what is one big project you’d undertake today?

“The proposed high-speed railway system would be invaluable to the Gold Coast’s development as a viable business hub.

“With a high-speed rail network in place, someone working in Sydney could jump on a morning train and be on the Gold Coast by lunch time to meet with business associates.

“If it was done properly, it would also provide people in regional areas better access to major cities, including the Gold Coast. It would serve as a quick and easy alternative to air travel, connecting more of Australia. For the tourism industry in particular, a well thought-out high-speed railway system would be tremendously advantageous.”

What are the conversations Gold Coast movers and shakers should be having?

“More conversations are needed about increasing the employment opportunities on the Gold Coast. I think the solution is twofold, again coming back to marketing and the growth of the region’s business market.

“By focusing on increasing our presence on the national and even global business radar, we will be presented with increased business opportunities, which in turn will provide increased job opportunities.

“Marketing strategies are needed, designed to attract people to the Gold Coast by highlighting what we have to offer the wider business community.

“More could also be done to further attract people to the region, with more cultural and entertainment attractions, big name restaurants and the Gold Coast’s own iconic landmark — something to rival the Sydney Opera House.”