Holidays to Australia’s Gold Coast ‘remain popular’

The number of people taking holidays to Australia’s Gold Coast is remaining constant, despite the credit crunch.

The number of people taking holidays to Australia’s Gold Coast is remaining constant, despite the credit crunch.

This is according to anecdotal evidence published in the Age newspaper. Although official figures have not yet been released, the publication states that this summer has been one of the Gold Coast’s best.

It cites statistics from STR Global, which show that four and five-star hotel bookings are up 16 per cent in the year to January 2009 when compared to the 12 months before, as well as figures from the airports, which also show an increase in traffic.

This could be due to the Gold Coast being consistently popular with backpackers from all over the world, thanks to its affordability, as well as the array of things to do there.

Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter said: “When people are looking for affordable, value holidays, they cannot only find them with regard to accommodation and things to do but they can get on a plane and make it happen.”

The second most populous city in Queensland and the sixth most popular in the country, the Gold Coast is situated in the south-east part of the state.