Injury to young boy at Movie World unlikely to impact Gold Coast’s hoped for Easter tourism surge

An injury suffered by a 12-year-old boy who fell from a ride at Warner Bros. Movie World earlier this week is unlikely to impact the Gold Coast’s tourism recovery and hoped for Easter tourism surge.

The boy was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital after suffering a laceration to his head after reportedly falling from Movie World’s Looney Tunes Carousel Ride on Tuesday afternoon.

A Queensland Ambulance spokesperson confirmed he was in a serious but stable condition with a"deep laceration to his head".

Following the incident, Village Roadshow Theme Parks released a statement, confirming the ride has been closed as a precaution while investigations into how the incident occurred were made.

The statement advised “our thoughts are with the guest and his family and we wish him a speedy recovery.

“The safety and wellbeing of guests and team members is our top priority and we are committed to providing guests with a fun and safe environment.”

With any incident at the Gold Coast’s theme parks generating massive media scrutiny, fears were expressed that it could impact visitor confidence in visiting the region.

However, with the Easter holidays approaching Gold Coast Chamber of Commerce President, Martin Hall said he does not believe the incident will impact the region's tourism recovery.

Hall told the ABC “it's unfortunate and of course any accident is one we don't want to have but I really don't think this will impact tourism at all.

"Our visitors and also the locals have been kept indoors for so long with the COVID restrictions, I don't think this is going to repel too many people from the (theme) parks.

"We need to focus on the fact that the parks are open, the Gold Coast is open for business and the holidays are upon us.”

Destination Gold Coast Chief Executive, Patricia O'Callaghan said tourism operators had worked hard to attract visitors this month, noting “things are looking really positive at the moment.

"Our occupancy for school holidays is sitting above 70%, on average, so that's really good news.

"It's spiking as high as 84% for Easter, so the bookings continue to pick up."

Image: Movie World’s Looney Tunes Carousel Ride. Credit: Village Roadshow Theme Parks.