Decline in visitor numbers prompts departure of BridgeClimb Sydney Chief Executive

A steady decline in climber numbers, exacerbated by the recent bushfires, have prompted the operators of BridgeClimb Sydney to end the tenure of Chief Executive Chris Zumwalt.

The change comes just 18 months Hammons Holdings, owner of Blue Mountains attraction Scenic World, secured a 20-year contract from the NSW Government to run the landmark attraction.

However, with numbers of climbers reportedly falling and having to pay fees to the NSW Government that are reportedly treble what the previous operator was paying, the Hammons family moved to make the change earlier this month.

Having been Scenic World’s Chief Operating Officer, Zumwalt was appointed to the role at BridgeClimb in September 2018, following Hammons Holdings having won the tender from NSW Roads & Maritime Services (RMS) to operate the Sydney Harbour Bridge attraction as of of 1st October that year.

In a statement announcing Zumwalt’s departure, Hammons Holdings advised "the Board thanks Chris for his contribution and valuable leadership of the BridgeClimb team over the past 18 months, and his extensive contributions to Hammons Holdings over the past 12 years."

Having reportedly seen a 15 to 20% year-on-year decline in climbers, a report in the Australian Financial Review suggested that the replacement of the original marketing team following the operational change resulted in less effective international marketing, particularly in the Indian market.

According to sources, Hammons Holdings were apparently also liable for increased bridge maintenance fees and had to pay the RMS a bigger cut of their revenue.

Zumwalt was interviewed by Travel Weekly in January. Click here to read the interview.