Gold Coast Marathon: luxury hotels brace for influx of business

HAVING cracked new markets in Asia this year, it appears luxury is the new theme at the 2016 Gold Coast Marathon with some accommodation providers catering for the opulent tastes of sporting tourists.

Marathon Oliver Loehr from Germany is greeted on board by concierge Jesse Smith at the Palazzo Versace marina. People will be ferried from Versace to the Gold Coast Marathon start line. Picture: Glenn Hampson

THE new wave of Asian runners here for this weekend’s Gold Coast Marathon are sweating in style.

The city’s major luxury hotels, including Jupiters, Palazzo Versace, Sheraton and Sofitel are expected to be booked out by tomorrow thanks to the influx of wealthy Asian sports tourists.

In keeping with the five-star theme, the top-shelf hotels will treat their guests as pampered VIPs.

Palazzo Versace and the Sheraton, both on the Southport Spit, will ferry their speedy guests to and from the race on luxury boats.

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This comes as organisers predict large increases in competitors from countries such as China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Marathon Oliver Loehr from Germany is greeted on board by Concierge Jesse Smith (in black) at the Palazzo Versace marina. People will be ferried from Versace to the Gold Coast Marathon start line . Picture Glenn Hampson

Accommodation Association of Australia CEO Richard Munro said the international visitor market was lucrative because they tended to spend much more than domestic travellers.

Mr Munro predicted the increase in Asian competitor numbers would have an effect on the bottom line of accommodation houses, particularly the luxury providers.

“International events across the country are driving visitation and expenditure in the community, so we’re encouraging governments to keep on backing events throughout the Gold Coast, particularly through winter,” he said.

Marathon Oliver Loehr from Germany is greeted on board by Concierge Jesse Smith (in black) at the Palazzo Versace marina. People will be ferried from Versace to the Gold Coast Marathon start line . Picture Glenn Hampson

Based on 2015 figures, Mr Munro predicted 22 per cent greater occupancy this weekend over last year.

Palazzo Versace spokeswoman Jasmine Webb said the hotel only had a handful of rooms left and she expected them to be taken by tomorrow.

Ms Webb said Versace also had a luxury motor yacht on hand to ferry guests to the marathon.

“It’s an opportunity to arrive to and from the race conveniently from our private marina in comfort and style, of course,” she said.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort spokesman Leon Thomson predicted the hotel would also reach capacity by the weekend and said a 45-seat boat would ferry guests to the marathon.

Marathon Oliver Loehr from Germany is greeted on board by Concierge Jesse Smith (in black) at the Palazzo Versace marina. People will be ferried from Versace to the Gold Coast Marathon start line . Picture Glenn Hampson

“We have had an increase on last year and particularly on Sunday night which is up about 30 per cent on last year,” he said.

Mayor Tom Tate commended the hotels for using the city’s waterways.

“I’m delighted to see the use of water taxi and transfer services,” he said.

“I have long promoted the concept of utilising our waterways to move people to large events.”

Star Entertainment Group managing director Geoff Hogg oversees Jupiters Hotel and Casino and said it would be booked out over the marathon weekend. Jupiters will host the Gold Coast Marathon gala dinner as well as the Garmin Legends Lunch.

Sofitel’s Ginni Post said success in attracting Asian tourists was key to filling the luxury Broadbeach hotel this weekend.