Faster, higher, cheaper

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This was published 15 years ago

Faster, higher, cheaper

Hot destination ... the Gold Coast remains a popular destination with both international and domestic tourists.

Hot destination ... the Gold Coast remains a popular destination with both international and domestic tourists.Credit: Rob Homer

The Gold Coast has had one of its best summers for years. Official figures will not be available for another couple of months but early data and anecdotal evidence show the Gold Coast's visitor numbers are well up on last year, despite the grim economic outlook.

Much of the growth can be attributed to overseas tourists arriving on cheap flights with airlines such as AirAsia X but domestic visitor numbers are also up.

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The coast is an old favourite among Australian holidaymakers and has managed to stay fresh, with new accommodation and attractions being launched each year. It has also managed to stay affordable, with value packages for families and couples.

The Gold Coast has also had a major boost from domestic carriers Jetstar and Virgin Blue, which have reduced fares in recent years.

"When people are looking for affordable, value holidays, they cannot only find them with regard to accommodation and things to do but they can get on a plane and make it happen," says Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter.

He says feedback from Gold Coast Tourism's 550 members indicates most businesses traded well during the Christmas holidays.

More concrete evidence of its popularity comes from data by hotel benchmarking company STR Global, which shows occupancy for four- and five-star hotels was 16 per cent higher for the year to January 2009.

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Queensland Airports figures show domestic passenger movements through the Gold Coast Airport were higher than the previous year for October and November, although there was a slight drop in December. For the calendar year 2008, total passenger numbers were up a significant 14.9 per cent on 2007.

Jetstar spokesman Simon Westaway says the Gold Coast route performed strongly during the summer. "If anything, it has probably bettered our expectations given the economic data and doom and gloom," he says.

Winter says a number of factors combined to produce high visitor numbers during the Christmas holiday period, including good weather, low-cost deals, the Federal Government's cash handouts and still-high employment levels.

"If you've got a job, things are still affordable and interest rates are down," he says.

"For $130 a night you can get a four-star apartment with two bedrooms and it's not hard to find that sort of money."

Gold Coast operators also "actively pursued" online and last-minute bookings, as travellers held off making advance bookings.

Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove general manager Patrick Hardy says the summer period is normally heavily booked by mid-November but this season there was a "late rush".

Figures from lastminute.com.au show the Gold Coast was the fourth most popular flight destination in January.

Spokeswoman Angie Bohlmann says there has been a trend towards domestic destinations and the Gold Coast "wins the prize for most affordable and most visited". And while it might be assumed that more deals means more tourists with fewer dollars, Winter says many operators report strong spending.

The five-star Sofitel Gold Coast at Broadbeach is one operator in this category, recording an increase in the average spend of guests as well as higher levels of occupancy.

While few are willing to predict what will happen as the Gold Coast moves out of the peak summer period and the economic downturn intensifies, investment in the area continues, with millions of dollars being injected into attractions, accommodation and infrastructure projects.

An $850 million accommodation and retail development, Soul, is under construction on Cavill Mall, a new Hilton hotel is due to open next year and a $32 million redevelopment of the Southport Broadwater parklands is almost complete.

The Gold Coast theme parks continue launching new rides and attractions summer after summer to keep the crowds coming.

Wet'n'Wild spent millions on its Kamikaze waterslide, while Warner Bros Movie World launched a $10 million stunt driver show.

Dreamworld has a new virtual V8 supercars experience, while Sea World has added a Jet Rescue coaster and marine ray exhibit. The attractions are promoted extensively.

In the hinterland, walking company Hidden Peaks has luxury guided treks through the Spicers Peak Nature Refuge and Main Range National Park and health retreat Gwinganna will open luxury villas in April.

HOW LOW CAN YOU GO?

* Virgin Blue (virginblue.com.au) and Jetstar (jetstar.com) have one-way fares between Sydney and the Gold Coast for less than $60.

* The Radisson Resort Gold Coast (radisson.com) has a "stay and pamper" package from $149 a person a night, including accommodation, breakfast, a 60-minute spa treatment and chocolates, strawberries and a bottle of wine on arrival.

* Blue Holidays (virginblue.com.au/holidays) has a four-night package from $362 a person, including return air fares, accommodation and a bottle of sparkling wine.

* A five-star accommodation package is available from Escape Travel (escapetravel.com.au) from $179 a person for two nights.

* There is a two-park "summer saver" theme park pass for $79 for adults and $57 for children (myfun.com.au) until February 27. Hotel and theme park deals, where children stay and play for free, are also available until the end of the month. See flightcentre.com.au.


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