Opinion: Meaghan Scanlon says it’s time for Coast to truly make mark as global city

NEW data shows that visitors to the region want a unique experience, so let’s give them that with our natural assets, writes Meaghan Scanlon.

GONE are the days when the Gold Coast has to rely on domestic visitors from Melbourne and Sydney to stimulate our economy.

Following the success of the Commonwealth Games, we have an opportunity to stamp our authority as a truly global city.

More than 1.5 billion people from around the world watched on as the Gold Coast had its time in the spotlight and we know the legacy this great event will leave for the tourism industry will benefit locals for decades into the future.

We have the opportunity to stamp our authority as a global city, says Ms Scanlon Picture: Supplied

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But to make the most of the Games, the Gold Coast needs to keep reinventing itself to appeal to a younger, more discerning international travel market.

The Palaszczuk Government has this week handed down its fourth Budget.

Meaghan Scanlon. Picture Glenn Hampson

While the Turnbull Government Federal Budget delivered nothing for the Gold Coast tourism industry, we’re investing significantly in this space to make sure we capitalise on the Commonwealth Games in the next decade.

NEW ATTRACTIONS NEEDED CRITICAL FOR GROWTH

Importantly, the Palaszczuk Government Budget includes an extra $48 million to attract more direct flights, create new attractions and promote ecotourism opportunities in our key visitor destinations.

We need to partner with tourism operators to make sure what we’re offering on the Coast is new and current.

Burleigh Head National Park entry and lookout. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland

New walking tracks and attractions that offer visitors new ways of seeing the Gold Coast will be backed by the Government through our grants program for regional tourism infrastructure.

The latest visitor data shows tourists want a unique experience. In the next three years we need to harness the exposure of the Games and work towards marketing the Gold Coast’s greatest natural assets – our beaches, Hinterland and surf culture – to a new generation of travellers.

One of our greatest national assets. Picture Mike Batterham

Improving access to the Coast will also be a focus. We can’t understate the value of our partnerships with airlines. In our last term, the Palaszczuk Government secured an extra two million airline seats into Queensland, pumping $1.7 billion into our economy.

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That’s why securing more direct international flights into Gold Coast Airport will be high on the Government’s list of priorities.

The time is now for the Gold Coast. I look forward to working with industry to deliver what the Coast needs to ride the wave of success following the Commonwealth Games.