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The Queensland Government has announced all venues that were newly constructed or upgraded for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games are fully booked for the remainder of 2018.
Queensland Minister for Innovation, Tourism Industry Development and the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones, has confirmed that the $300 million plus investment in venue infrastructure is "paying off."
Booking hours have doubled from 25,000 in 2017-18 to over 50,000 in 2018-19 following the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
A number of key events such as the Australian University Games, the Kokoda Challenge, and the Vicky Wilson Cup (Netball) will be held in fresh Gold Coast venues.
"Thirty two of the 102 events are of national or international significance," says Jones.
"We've had unprecedented interest from sporting organisations around the world."
"We'll continue to leverage the Commonwealth Games to secure events to ensure taxpayers are getting value for money."
The Queensland government has faced high levels of criticism for its investment in Games venues since the city was announced as host of the event in 2011.
However a continued focus on the 'Legacy' of the Games has proved a success as plans to reshape the Gold Coast as an events destination have come to fruition.
"We bid for the Games because we wanted to strengthen the Gold Coast's reputation as a major events destination," says Jones.
Assistant tourism industry development Minister and member for the Gold Coast electorate of Gaven, Meghan Scanlon says the Gold Coast has reaffirmed its status as a key sports and tourism destination.
"The Games proved to the world that the Gold Coast is one of the best destinations to host sport," says Scanlon.
"We have state-of-the-art venues in one of of the most sought-after tourism destinations on the planet - it only makes sense that people want to come here to play sport."
The city held the Commonwealth Games in April 2018 after seven years worth of preparation which saw 18 venues across the region built and upgraded ahead of the largest event in Australia this decade.
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Business News Australia
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