Media Releases

Travel agents discover what makes the Gold Coast famous for fun

Monday, 21 May 2012

A group of Australian travel agents have returned home today armed with a new passion and knowledge to sell the Gold Coast.

Tourism Queensland CEO Anthony Hayes said the agents won the opportunity to visit the famously fun Gold Coast following a Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast Tourism roadshow, which was supported by Virgin Australia, earlier in the year.

“In March an entourage of Gold Coast tourism businesses travelled to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide where they met with over 140 agents to test and refresh their knowledge of what tourism products are available on the coast,” Mr Hayes said.

“A selection of agents who attended the workshops were then invited back for a first-hand taste of Queensland’s famous holiday destination.

“The 18 agents from Adelaide, Sydney and Melbourne were treated to a weekend of fun in Queensland’s holiday playground and discovered the tourism developments setting a fun new direction for the Gold Coast.”

Mr Hayes said the Gold Coast was brimming with new accommodation and attractions after a series of developments opened their doors during the past 18 months such as the Hilton Surfers Paradise, Peppers Broadbeach, QT Gold Coast and Paradise Resort’s new Aqua Play Water Park.

“Over the weekend our VIP guests were given a behind the scenes tour of several new, more established and luxurious properties,” Mr Hayes said.

“The action-packed itinerary saw the group take in views of the coast’s stunning skyline, enjoy the thrill of the waterways onboard a jetboat, visit theme parks and a wildlife sanctuary.”

Mr Hayes said the aim was to treat the influential southern travel agents to a weekend filled with fun to demonstrate the Gold Coast’s tourism appeal.

“There’s plenty to be excited about on the Gold Coast with billions of dollars being spent on accommodation and entertainment precincts over the past 18 months and more commencing in 2012 including Dreamworld’s investment on it’s DreamWorks animation themed lands and the newly opened SkyPoint Climb atop of Q1, the Gold Coast’s tallest building. ” he said.

In 2011 the Gold Coast welcomed more than 3.1 million Australians who spent more than $2.5 billion on their visits.

More information
Tourism Queensland – 3535 5474.