TOURISTS have been coming to Logan for more than a year – to see a show that didn’t exist.
Tickets to interactive theatre production and previously awarded Spirits of the Red Sands at Beenleigh Historical Village were marketed and sold online for more than a year after showrunners ceased production.
One third party website only stopped selling tickets last week after MyCity Logan raised concerns.
The show was originally pitched as a tourist attraction for Logan, but after several years the production company Spirits of the Red Sands closed its doors, reportedly due to post-Covid struggles.
Meanwhile, tickets to the event continued to be advertised across the internet.
Until last Thursday (7 March), Groupon was selling tickets for $120 each, with deals ranging between $89 to $175 for two.
A Groupon spokesperson said the company was unaware Spirits of the Red Sands had closed.
“We have refunded and notified all affected customers,” she said.
Even the state government’s tourism arm is advertising the event on its website, describing the show as a “first-of-its-kind experience”.
When questioned by MyCity Logan, Tourism Queensland deflected blame to its supplier, Australian Tourism Data Warehouse.
The promotional material has not yet been taken down.
Tourism Queensland is responsible for marketing destinations globally and interstate.
“… this is a completely immersive evening that will open your eyes to the history, beauty and vibrancy of the Aboriginal people,” Tourism Queensland’s website proclaims.
Management of the venue that hosted the event says there hasn’t been a show since January 2023.
Secretary of the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, Heather Ciesiolka, said there were multiple third party sites selling tickets.
“There are groups of people who have bought tickets come every Saturday to see the show,” Ms Ciesiolka said.
“And that’s just the Saturdays when we’re there.
“Sometimes no one is there – it’s just dark.”
She said many visitors had either travelled from the Gold Coast to watch the show or were international tourists with language barriers.
“We’re having trouble trying to figure out how to stop it,” Ms Ciesiolka said.
“As much as it’s not us doing selling the tickets, it’s reflecting poorly on us.”
Ms Ciesiolka said she reported the issue to the third party websites, but received no response.
MyCity Logan asked the Office of Fair Trading if it was aware the issue.
“The Office of Fair Trading has made enquiries with Groupon in response to the allegation that it was selling tickets to an event which no longer exists,” a spokesperson said.
“No further comment can be made at this time.”
The spokesperson said those who purchased tickets to a cancelled event were entitled by law to the right to a refund.
