Inside Asian Gaming

IAG JAPAN AUG 2019 26 The Gold Coast is famous for its beaches ゴールドコーストはビーチで有名な場所 COVER STORY difference that can complement the grandeur of its Brisbane development. “The Gold Coast is a very unique proposition,” he explains. “It’s the only IR of this type, up-scale, probably in the world where you can be within an hour of the city but you’re at the beach, you can see the beach from the property, you’ve got the biggest shopping centre in Southeast Queensland right next door … it’s an opportunity for us to diversify the experience and extend the trip length. We see Gold Coast and Brisbane working in tandem as the two components to keep people in Queensland.” Star isn’t done yet, either. In November last year, the company and its Chinese equity partners, Hong Kong jewelry giant Chow Tai Fook and property developer Far East Consortium, revealed their Gold Coast masterplan – an additional US$2 billion investment concept comprising four more towers on its Broadbeach site. The vision, Bekier says, is to offer guests a variety of hotel options at widely different price points in order to broaden its customer base. “China is now the largest source market for Australia and although it has slowed down a little bit lately, the long-term trends are compelling,” he explains. “We have not really participated substantially in that market yet because we don’t have enough hotel rooms. We’d love to have more and that’s why we’re building it out.” MOVING FORWARD The Queensland Government says its intention for a Global Tourism Hub isn’t to build a second casino but to grow the state’s tourism experiences. Gaming, it adds, would be limited to 5% of floor area. “We have confidence our competitive process will deliver a better outcome for the people of the Gold Coast,” offers Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Director General, Damien Walker. “Queensland is envious of the successes of Singapore, Macau and Las Vegas in securing new and reinvestments leading to jobs and opportunities,