GOLD COAST ICON HAS NAME CHANGE
Posted by editor (editor) on Jun 12 2009
2009 >>

Tourism Minister Peter Lawlor today congratulated Gold Coast Cabs on its seven decades in business and described the company as a fantastic local success story.

Mr Lawlor attended the Surfers Paradise launch of the company’s official name change from Regent Taxis to Gold Coast Cabs.

“In one form or another, Gold Coast Cabs has been a Gold Coast icon since 1937,” he said.

“Tony Corones was the Gold Coast’s first taxi operator with three licenses in Southport in 1937. He and Amos Currey, later known as the Gold Coast’s taxi king, joined forces in 1944 under the Regent Taxi banner.

“Two years later a group of independent drivers amalgamated as Regent Taxis.”

Mr Lawlor said the company had continued to grow and expand over the past six decades and was now a major Gold Coast employer.

“It provides a livelihood for 1600 drivers, 60 contact centre staff, radio technicians and administration staff,” he said.

“This is a particularly impressive achievement, especially when you consider the current global financial crisis.”

Mr Lawlor said the Queensland Government had a number of strategies in place to generate future employment and business opportunities on the Gold Coast, particularly for the tourism sector.

“The Bligh Government has promised $60million in funding towards a $130million AFL Stadium at Carrara on the Gold Coast.

“The project is a major boost for jobs and tourism – generating 350 jobs during construction and contributing $340million to the local economy over the next ten years.

“The Queensland Government is also acting on its $37.8 million election commitment to strengthen the State’s tourism industry,” Mr Lawlor said.

“Over the next year Tourism Queensland will introduce more major retail campaigns here on the Coast to drive immediate sales for the industry and increase the marketing spend in interstate and intrastate markets to encourage people to holiday closer to home.

“And it will launch major whole-of-state campaigns such as Queensland’s Bonus Breaks and Hot Hits and increase activity in two potentially lucrative international markets such as New Zealand and China.

“In addition, Tourism Queensland will push for visitors at major Queensland events and continue the State Government’s commitment to support smaller tourism operators, not just the major ones.”

Last changed: Oct 06 2009 at 3:07 PM