Brisbane Olympics: Covid-smashed travel operators hail ‘historic’ win

Brisbane’s overnight elevation to Olympic city status has given travel industry leaders hopes that better times are ahead.

Brisbane is expected to reap the benefits of its Olympic city status before and after the 2032 Games. Picture: Peter Wallis

Brisbane’s success in snaring the 2032 Olympics has been lauded as a guaranteed launch pad to “global city” status by the Covid-weary travel industry.

The day after the IOC’s confirmation the Queensland capital and surrounds would host the Games 11 years from now, celebrations were continuing amid the pandemic.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said hosting the Olympics would catapult Brisbane into the same league as Sydney and Melbourne, affording the city instant recognition overseas.

“It has already started,” said Mr Gschwind. “This is not just about image, this is about substance and we believe this city and this region has the substance to build something magnificent for us and the world.”

He was also hopeful the victory would inspire the various levels of government to continue their collaboration and adopt a co-operative spirit in other facets of public life.

“We’re all caught up in this Covid gloom at the moment and while it’s not a vaccine, it’s an antidote to the pessimism and negativity that’s come over us,” he said of the bid win.

Tourism and Transport Forum chair Bruce Baird and chief executive Margy Osmond said the announcement was a significant boost for the whole country and would bring multiple benefits in the lead-up to and long after the Games.

“While it may be hard to picture long-term goals or achievements beyond the current major challenges in front of us, particularly for those in lockdown, this truly is an early gold medal victory for the nation,” they said.

“It will also set up Australia well to secure our slice of the international tourism pie in what will be a highly competitive post-Covid world.”

Sharing in the excitement, were Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce and Virgin Australia boss Jayne Hrdlicka, who both sent their congratulations to the winning bid team.

Ms Hrdlicka said past Olympic and Paralympic Games had shown that the host cities could expect up to 500,000 additional international visitors over the course of the event, and increased numbers of domestic and international tourists in subsequent years.

“We look forward to bringing the world to our beautiful state of Queensland to showcase all that we can offer,” she said.

Mr Joyce said the Brisbane Games would boost Australia’s global profile, just as the Sydney Olympics did in 2000.

“The Olympic Games are a great stage to show the world what an amazing place Australia is,” he said.

Chief executive of venue and events company ASM Global Harvey Lister said the mantra of “once an Olympic city, always an Olympic city” was about to come true for Brisbane.