Pan Pacific Masters confirms its return in tourism boost for Gold Coast
The Pan Pacific Masters games, which injects up to $25 million to the Gold Coast economy, has confirmed it will return in November 2021 in a solid sign that major events expect international borders to be open and will return to full swing in Queensland.
The 2020 Pan Pacific Masters was cancelled in June, with the biennial event not expected to be held again until 2022.
The 2018 Pan Pacific Masters Games delivered 37,500 visitors to the Gold Coast, and a total of 100,000 visitor nights, generating $24 million for the local economy.
In welcome news for the crippled Gold Coast tourism industry, Pan Pacific Masters Games management said the organisation had conducted an evaluation on holding a special 2021 event rather than waiting an extra year.
“Many of our sports partners who rely on the Pan Pacific Masters Games to provide economic benefits every two years are in dire financial situations due to the loss of the event in 2020. Many supporters and stakeholders are battling for survival, just like us,” organisers said in a statement.
Despite clashes with a New Zealand Masters Games in February, the Great Barrier Reef Masters Games in May, and a Perth based Australian Masters Games in October, the Pan Pacific Masters had strong support from local and state government and would go ahead, organisers said.
“We understand that hosting a 2021 edition of the Asia Pacific’s biggest and best Masters Games would not be universally supported, but would ensure its survival, rather than its extinction.”
Destination Gold Coast chair Paul Donovan said the Pan Pacific Masters in 2018 was the Gold Coast’s third biggest sporting event behind the Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon and the V8 Supercars events.
The Gold Coast marathon, which attracts 60,000 visitors and contributes around $33 million to the local economy was cancelled for 2020.
The GC600 was also axed, with an estimated cost impact on the Gold Coast of $55 million.
The Pan Pacific Masters is the first of major southeast Queensland events including popular music festival Splendour in the Grass, the CG600 supercars event, and the Gold Coast Marathon to set a return date, with an expectation local and international visitors will attend.
However, major arts festivals such as Brisbane Festival and the Gold Coast’s Bleach Festival, due to open on 12 November, have jumped ahead of the curve in finding ways to continue despite the impacts of the pandemic.
