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Gold Coast could trade on ‘tourism heritage' - like Vegas
Tourism heritage could be the next big ticket item for the Gold Coast region, according to a Griffith University travel and tourism industry researcher.
The Gold Coast has a unique opportunity to develop tourism-heritage product such as commemorative plaques, festivals and statues, tourism artefacts in museums, protected buildings and other facilities, as well as tourism-themed corridors and districts, researcher Dave Weaver told a recent gathering of key Queensland tourism industry representatives.
Dr Weaver presented his ideas at a roundtable luncheon recently entitled Tourism heritage: A new product opportunity for the Gold Coast.
He said the Gold Coast and Las Vegas were examples of 'tourist cities' - cities that developed and exist primarily for tourism and related leisure activities and industries.
"Contemporary tourism heritage examples can already be seen in the Winter Sun Festival in Coolangatta and the new museum Surf World at Currumbin which celebrates post World War II surfing culture," Dr Weaver said.
"Another example is the Surf Life Saving statue on the esplanade at Surfers Paradise, which tangibly celebrates part of our tourism heritage."
Dr Weaver said the Gold Coast needs product refreshment and new products to bring markets back that are not returning.
"We need to add more things like a tourism dedicated museum, bring back baby boomers who may have honeymooned here and start recording history now, including buildings that might be torn down but were hot spots in the 60s - so start archiving."
Industry representatives included those from the Gold Coast Show Society, Gold Coast City Council, SquareOne Events, Dreamworld/Whitewater World, Gold Coast Tourism, Office of City Architect and Heritage, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation and Gold Coast Arts Centre, among others.
"The presentation was intended to stimulate dialogue and action so that the full potential of tourism heritage can be realised," Dr Weaver said.
"This roundtable presented tourism heritage concepts and development options, followed by some interactive discussions on how the Gold Coast could take a leadership role in developing 'new' product around the concept," he said.
"The idea of tourism heritage can include historical stuff, but on the Gold Coast, much of the tourism industry is post World War II and the concept is therefore about celebrating and promoting the contemporary tourism heritage."
