Going For Gold

Long favoured as one of Australia’s most popular holiday spots, the Gold Coast & Hinterland is now winning a new reputation – as a leading conference and convention destination.

With its myriad tourist attractions, teamed with convention resources and infrastructure, the Gold Coast hosts around 1,500 meetings and 120,000 delegates a year. In other terms, that adds up to almost 600,000 delegate days, injecting more than $200 million to the Gold Coast economy.

Dozens of hotels, hundreds of restaurants and bars, more than 40 prestige resorts and championship golf courses, world-class theme parks and 300 days of sunshine a year, make the Gold Coast one of the most sought-after destinations in Australia.

Whether they arrive at the Gold Coast Airport at Coolangatta, or at Brisbane Airport, which is only an hour’s drive away or an easy train ride, visitors seem to agree that the Gold Coast is the place to be for business and pleasure.

For proof of its continuing advances into the business, convention and major events market, Gold Coast Tourism’s chief executive, Pavan Bhatia, says there’s no need to look further than the region’s recent securing of Australia’s premier incentive travel trade event, Dreamtime 2006, to be held in November.

Bhatia says Gold Coast Tourism’s success in winning the biennial four day event from other Australian capitals is another demonstration of the organisation’s capacity to achieve on the world stage.

The Glades Golf and Spa in Robina is among the country’s finest courses. Described as one of Greg Norman’s “best ever designs”, it challenges golfers of all abilities over its 6,431 metre layout. This picturesque par 72 championship course was Voted “No 1 Resort Course in Australia” and “Queensland’s best golf course” by Golf Australia Magazine and the Classic Magazine. The Glades Golf and Spa is the premium location for your next corporate or social golf experience.

The Gold Coast’s major tourism drawcards – theme parks Dreamworld, Warner Bros Movie World, Sea World and Wet‘n’Wild Water World – will be joined in April by a new park based on Australia’s outback.

Australian Outback Spectacular promises to be a unique and exciting show, the first of its kind in Australia, capturing the grandeur of the outback, with spectacular visual effects and raw energy.

Located just 20 minutes from the heart of Surfers Paradise, it is positioned next to Warner Bros Movie World and is a joint venture between Warner Theme Parks and bush outfitter, RM Williams.

The two hour show – over a three-course barbeque dinner – will be set in an enclosed arena, with the production incorporating up to 40 horses and skilled stockmen and women.

Every night the giant arena, which has a 1,000 seat capacity, will thunder with the hooves of Australian stock horses as the action-packed performance unfolds. Every show features a cast of larger-than-life characters, with spectacular scenes featuring wild horses, stampeding cattle, an array of bush vehicles and an unforgettable display of horsemanship. A mustering helicopter even dives into the arena to round up a mob of charging cattle.

>> Look for Gold Cost conference venues or Gold Coast hotels

In other developments on the Gold Coast, the 5 star Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort has undergone an $8.5 million refurbishment and unveiled its latest luxury options for guests, including a massive bedding makeover.
A new, fresh, white look is a part of Marriott’s US$190 million global bedding makeover. The bedding at Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort now features 300 thread count, cotton rich, white top and fitted bottom sheets, more pillows, and a thicker, more comfortable mattress.

Resort general manager, Paul Papanicolaou, says the refurbishment included upgrades to all 330 guestrooms and suites, as well as restaurants, public areas and the resort’s conference facilities.

Legends Hotel, Gold Coast at Surfers Paradise fulfils the market demand for versatile self-contained accommodation, combined with the benefits of hotel service. All studio rooms and luxury spa suites contain modern, fully equipped kitchenettes and have broadband access, while the hotel provides 24 hour reception, room service, concierge and housekeeping services.

The 22 floor hotel is close to the beach and the main shopping and restaurant precinct at Surfers Paradise. Facilities include a comfortable and stylish bar and restaurant, heated outdoor pool, sunny terrace and fully equipped gymnasium with steam room and sauna.

The Hotel Watermark Group is celebrating wins for staff members Ryan Newton and Deborah Ryan at the 2005 Queensland Hotels Association Employees of the Year awards.

Both long-term employees at the Hotel Watermark Gold Coast, Deborah and Ryan were winners for best Food and Beverage and Administration employees. Ryan was recently appointed hotel manager for the newly opened Hotel Watermark Brisbane. Group general manager, Donald Cox, says the awards highlight the great team spirit and ability of all employees of the Hotel Watermark Group and are recognition of a long-term effort to provide guests with “the most refreshing hotel experience in Australia”.