Can a party on the beach revive Queensland tourism?

Beachfront entertainment could be just what Queensland needs to boost its tourism industry and help it bounce back from the disastrous effects COVID-19 has had on the industry.

The state’s tourism industry has lost an estimated $10 billion since the pandemic started and business operators are eager to find new ways of bringing in revenue. Opening up beachfront entertainment could be a great way to do this.

In Cairns, some beach clubs and waterfront restaurants have been opened to offer beachfront services, however on the Gold Coast, requests over the years to open such services were met with extreme liquor licencing, parks regulations and council bylaws as the state government has a range of existing regulations available to Queensland licensees.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said it was a good time to look into beachfront entertainment again.

“It has always amazed me that we have these fantastic assets (beaches) and we don’t take advantage of them,” he said.

“It would be a huge asset to coastal tourism.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said if beach commercialisation is done sensitively, then the critics have nothing to be worried about. 

“I envisage an up-market service which is not right in the heart of our busiest areas, but creates a wonderful experience for the people wanting a quality experience.” 

The Sheraton Grand Mirage

In previous years, The Sheraton Grand Mirage had expressed interest in offering beachfront hospitality service that go beyond the property boundary. It’s new owners Star would like to reconsider the proposal.

“Everyone is aware of the pain the tourism and hospitality sectors have experienced since the onset of COVID and enforced restrictions,” said a Star spokesman.

CEO of Tourism Whitsundays, Tash Wheeler said it would be ‘amazing’ for Queensland to have more beachfront experiences.

“The Whitsundays has so many excellent bars, restaurants and cafes that would jump at the opportunity to introduce beachside service to their offering,” Wheeler said.

“If there was some way to open up the licensing and allow this, I think it would give us a huge added benefit to our already world-class tropical destination alongside some of our international competitors.”

The biggest hurdle has always been getting approval for such ventures.