Australia's Gold Coast Devastated by Cyclone, Officials Race to Restore Tourism

The mayor of Gold Coast in Australia said that a devastating tropical cyclone has wiped out 80% of beaches in the region.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which hit the region last week, caused widespread flooding, coastal erosion, and significant economic losses. 

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate revealed in a press conference earlier this week that most of the area’s beaches had “gone into the ocean.”

The storms sparked urgent restoration efforts ahead of the busy Easter Holiday period and business leaders and officials are urging visitors not to cancel their travel plans.

Tourism Industry Hit Hard 

Tourism is important to the Gold Coast economy. The sector generated $1.6 billion in 2023 and supports more than 20,000 jobs, according to the Gold Coast City Council. 

However, mass flight cancellations and booking cancellations have already put the sector under strain.

More than 200 flights were grounded in a single day as the cyclone hit, according to media reports. 

The Director of Comiskey Group, which owns many hotels and resorts in the region, said in a press conference this week that the company’s venues, including Sandstone Point Hotel and Resort, suffered hundreds of thousands of dollars in cancellations. 

“The lead-up to the event was devastating, particularly for our resort at Sandstone, where occupancy rates dropped significantly. We saw hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of cancellations,” he said.

Swift Recovery Underway

With beaches serving as a cornerstone of the Gold Coast’s tourism appeal, the government has moved quickly to restore them. Heavy machinery is already at work, and dredging operations began this week to pump washed-away sand back onto the shore. 

Our priority is fixing the beaches," Tate said. "This time next week, I want to show that Surfers Paradise is really open for business, and that way, people can start booking flights."

Queensland’s Tourism Minister Andrew Powell tried to assure Australians and international visitors in a speech in parliament this week saying that “Queensland remains open for business.”

Climate change warnings

The independent Australian climate organization Climate Council, said in a statement that Tropical Cyclone Alfred was made more intense by “record hot temperatures, higher levels of atmospheric moisture and higher sea levels.”

A Queensland government report previously stated that coastal erosion, storm tide inundation, and flooding are growing threats to the Gold Coast due to climate change.

Gold Coast City Council said it is working to protect its beaches against climate change. 

“Since 2013, the City has invested in coastal protection, including the Palm Beach Artificial Reef, mass sand nourishment campaigns, and defensive seawalls. These measures have helped mitigate storm impacts” it said in a statement.

Gabby Walters, an associate professor in tourism at the University of Queensland, noted that the biggest challenge now is public perception. 

"The Gold Coast is one of Australia's premier tourism destinations, so anytime there's a disaster like this, it impacts the region’s image and reputation," she told ABC News. “Marketing campaigns will be crucial in driving visitors back.”

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