THE Gold Coast should have fewer chain stores and more "people watching" spaces, says the man who transformed Times Square, Hells Kitchen and the Meat Packing District in New York.



Ethan Kent, the Vice President of Project for Public Spaces, said the city needed to concentrate on "authentic and local" experiences to attract a new breed of tourist.



The "placemaking" expert said some of Surfers Paradise empty sites could become destinations that attracted "people watchers" and created a new city culture.



Speaking in front of 250 people at a Cities in Transit conference cheap uggs at Surfers Paradise, Mr Kent said sites like Cypress Avenue car park, now in the hands of light rail developer GoldLinQ, could become new destinations at minimal cost.



"It is easy to rest on the fact that you have a beautiful city with a lot of growth, but that is one of your limitations too. A lot of global tourism destinations are starting to look the same," said Mr Kent.



"Place tourism is growing. These are tourists who want to come and feel a part of the community and contribute to an authentic and local experience. They spend money in different ways ugg boots uk outlet and behave better. Both have a better impact on the economy," he said.



He said cities needed to shift out of their cars and onto paths and the $1.2 billion light rail presented huge opportunities for Surfers Paradise.



"Shoppers are walkers. The biggest benefit (the light rail) has is the ability to see destinations. The stations and what is around them must be destinations," he said.



"The Gold Coast is lacking public destinations where people can go and watch people. If you look at places like South Beach in Miami they have great destinations where people can go and watch people."