Rain, Data, and the Shifting Nature of Tourism on the Gold Coast

Outdoor Downturns, Indoor Spikes​

In April 2025, Nola analysed foot traffic across multiple venues nationwide. When matched with localised weather:

• Outdoor venues saw a 40–60% drop in entries on rainy days

• Indoor venues saw a 10–16% surge in traffic, often without warning (increase in passer-by traffic converting to tickets).

• Stay time is shrinking across the board, disrupting spend and operational flow

1. Outdoor Attendance Is No Longer Predictable
Theme parks and open-air attractions used to model attendance around school holidays, weekends, and weather forecasts. Now, even light rain can throw off volume and timing — not just how many people come, but when they enter and how long they stay.

2. Indoor Experiences Are Absorbing Overflow
Indoor venues — arcades, cinemas, museums — are no longer just plan B. On rainy mornings, they’re often the first stop. But the influx isn’t always forecastable, and if the venue isn’t prepared, it can quickly overwhelm staff, amenities, and capacity.

3. Stay Time Is Compressing
Guests aren’t sticking around. Outdoor visitors are leaving early due to fatigue and lack of cover. Indoors, patterns are less predictable: some linger longer due to lack of options, while others just pass through.

The result? Inconsistent per-capita spend and harder-to-optimise scheduling, staffing, and merchandising.