The tourism industry on the Gold Coast is a complex phenomenon. It cannot be initiated by a single person acting alone. The grand development gestures of the 1960s are now a thing of corporate fantasy. Moreover, tourism is not the only driver of economic growth. A diverse range of industries, from construction to food, are contributing to the economy of the region.
As tourism developed, more people moved to the region. The mild climate and attractive lifestyle attracted them. In turn, waterfront properties saw a sharp rise in demand, especially among retirees and sea change seekers. As a result, developers began carving out canal estates on the Gold Coast. They turned large flood plains into residential waterfront properties. They gave the estates sophisticated names.
Tourism on the Gold Coast is a vital part of the city’s economy. The city has a diverse range of industries and is a thriving city. It is one of the fastest growing conurbations in Australia and is considered a highly desirable place to live. It has a temperate climate, diverse services, and a housing market that continues to grow.
The Gold Coast is known as the theme park capital of Australia. It has more theme parks than any other Australian city. It is also home to the world’s largest factory outlet shopping complex, Harbour Town. It is also the country’s largest retail area. The city also boasts the largest number of parking spaces.
Gold Coast is a city of culture, entertainment, and enterprise, all in one. Its tourism industry caters to different markets while trying to extend its image as a city of culture. Its promotion has been traditional and vanilla, favouring images of upmarket consumerism and natural attractions. However, with tourism becoming a bigger part of the economy, it is vital to promote the region to a wider audience.
Tourism on the Gold Coast has grown considerably from its modest beginnings. In 1933, there were only a few settlements on the area. Its population grew to more than six thousand in 1957, and nearly three hundred thousand by 1961. Until the late 1950s, the region was a cheap family holiday spot for Brisbane residents. In the 1960s, the city began to develop rapidly into a thriving tourist and residential destination.
Despite these changes, the city still remains highly vulnerable to climate change, facing threats from increasing intensity of storm events and rising sea levels. Despite this, the former mayor’s vision for the future of the region reflects the changing sentiment of its residents and decision makers. The region is unique and deserves to be treated with respect and protection.
Gold Coast’s tourism industry has been affected by new trends in visitor travel. The strengthening of the Australian dollar, and more Australians travelling abroad, have negatively impacted the domestic market. In addition, the deregulation of air travel in Australia opened the door for low-cost carriers, which offer cheap airfares to tourists from other parts of the world. In 2013, the Gold Coast attracted 3.64 million domestic visitors and eight hundred thousand international visitors. These visitors spent a total of seven million nights on the Gold Coast.
The political system on the Gold Coast is complex, and getting relevant approvals, funding, and support is time-consuming. Intergovernmental relations can also be problematic. The local council structure has changed as the region has grown, and the relationship between the council and its neighbouring councils has been a mix of competition and cooperation.
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