Gold Coast wants to be like Singapore
GOLD COAST: Australia’s Gold Coast will increasingly market itself as a more upmarket destination to attract Australian leisure seekers who are benefiting from stronger wages growth.
As part of that push, the Gold Coast will launch the 30-day GC Bazaar festival in June to cater for consumers who enjoy fine dining as well as shopping.
Gold Coast Tourism CEO Pavan Bhatia said that like Singapore, Gold Coast would benefit from a more upmarket image.
But across Australia’s domestic tourism industry there is concern about the strength of the Aussie dollar, which is making it cheaper for Australian’s to holiday overseas.
The Australian dollar edged closer to 84 US cents last week to reach its highest levels since August 1990.
The Australian Hotels Association (NSW) deputy chief executive David Elliott said domestic travellers from places such as Sydney would go overseas more if the currency crept closer to 90 US cents.
“We can’t lose our domestic travellers to the United States or Asia – we are at risk of doing that at the moment, ” Elliott added.
Gold Coast’s Bhatia said low-cost flights from Sydney and Melbourne, and cultural events, would lure domestic travellers to the Gold Coast even if the Australian dollar kept rising.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive