Prominent Gold Coast tourism operator Garry McKenzie says claims by police and others that the Gold Coast has become the crime capital of Australia could kill the district’s key tourism source – families.
He said shootings and heavily reported claims about organised crime and a runaway drug trade were giving media plenty of controversy to highlight, but he warned that too much negativity could cost the Gold Coast its family tourist image.
Mr McKenzie, Director of Queensland visitor accommodation company Dreamtime Resorts, which has nine resorts on the Gold Coast, said the Coast’s tourism industry could become a victim in law and order campaigns underway right now.
“The police are saying we are now the crime capital of Australia. This is highly damaging to our tourism market. Is the claim based on facts? Let’s see the proof compared with other cities in Australia or compare us with comparable sized cities overseas too.
“The fact is, the Gold Coast is a major city, not some sleepy seaside holiday town. Of course there is crime here, just as there is in any city and we know there’s a big drugs problem, just as there is in any major city. But is it worse than other cities?
“I’m worried, from a tourism industry point of view, that we are being used for agendas being pushed by other parties. What we desperately need here is some balance in the discussion.
“My fear is, if the crime image is over-emphasised, it will deter our mum, dad and the kids core bread and butter market from holidaying here, and the bad image of the Coast could also cost us visitors from the important New Zealand market too.
“The image being portrayed now suggests innocent holidaymakers could be gunned down in the streets. That’s irresponsible and untrue, but it’s how we could be seen amid all this crime talk, because we’re only hearing about the negatives.
“It will make many parents stop and think whether they want their school leavers doing their Schoolies here this year,” he said.
Mr McKenzie said City Council, state government and tourism body officials should take an urgent initiative in calming visitor nerves.
“The Gold Coast is no different to any other major city in Australia now but the ‘underbelly’ image is demonising us and could cost the city and district some major tourism dollars,” he said.
“An online news poll asked readers whether violence on the Gold Coast would deter them from holidaying here. The result was a massive ‘yes’, so already there’s a tangible threat to our tourism from the crime imagery,” Mr McKenzie said.
“The police say they need more police officers stationed here and we believe, if they need more resources, these should be supplied. However, everyone involved in the debate should remember that it doesn’t take much to frighten away tourists, especially families.
“Nobody wants to holiday in a war zone and that’s the image the Gold Coast is getting with all this ‘crime out of control’ talk.
“As well as giving the police the resources they need to do their job, we need some quick and positive action from the community leaders to calm nerves and prevent a meltdown in tourism here,” Mr McKenzie said.
