11 December 2025
THANK YOU FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE YEAR-END CELEBRATION
Our Year-End Celebration held at SkyPoint was a wonderful reminder of the strength and connection amongst our EGC Partners. It was a pleasure to come together as an industry to welcome the festive season, enjoying great company, delicious food, and lively music. Thank you to all our incredible Partners for contributing to such a vibrant atmosphere and for the ongoing collaboration that drives our shared success.
As we head into the holiday season, we look forward to an exciting year ahead and many more opportunities to grow, celebrate, and achieve great things together!
Relive the highlights from our Year-End Celebration - click below to view the photo gallery!
GOLD COAST NAMED THE OFFICIAL HOST DESTINATION FOR THE 2026 GLOBAL SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SUMMIT
This flagship event brings together sustainability innovators, industry leaders, and changemakers to share ideas, collaborate, and drive impact across the global tourism sector.
Attendees will explore how the Australian visitor economy can champion sustainability in every aspect of business and community.
Key Highlights:
- When & Where: Tuesday 2 – Friday 5 June 2026 at Mercure Gold Coast Resort.
- Program Overview: Four-day event featuring a 1.5-day conference, two social functions, and an optional destination immersion experience.
- Focus Areas: Driving positive environmental outcomes, celebrating and protecting culture, creating meaningful socio-economic benefits, and building resilient, future-focused businesses.
Get your early bird tickets now!
GLOBAL MARKET BRIEFINGS ARE BACK FOR 2025
TEQ will return to the Gold Coast in February 2026 with its Global Market Briefing and networking event. This highly anticipated event is an opportunity for industry to connect directly with TEQ’s International Directors and Country Managers and hear the latest insights and trends coming out of Queensland's largest inbound markets. This briefing is also a valuable opportunity to receive updates on TEQ’s events strategy and domestic marketing. All TEQ presenters will be available for conversation during the networking session.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday 4 February 2026
- Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm
- Venue: Mondrian Gold Coast
Please note- registrations will open 30 minutes before the scheduled start of the event.
WILL YOU MAKE GOLD, SILVER OR TEAL IN THE 2026 BEST OF QUEENSLAND EXPERIENCES PROGRAM ASSESSMENT?
A snapshot of businesses will be taken on 31 December, and this will determine which category your business qualifies for: Gold, Silver, or Teal. NOW is the time to check your profile against the BOQEP criteria.
Keeping your ATDW profile current will make your business shine. Key things to check by 31 December.
Log-into ATDW:
- Ensure listing is active
- Booking and social media links are current
- Google Business Profile is added
- Any accreditations &/or memberships are there and valid through to 31 December 2025.
Your GRI score is worth 60 Points which means your business will need at least 25 guest reviews from tracked consumer reviews. Continue to encourage your guests to review your business. As part of your EGC Partnership you will receive a quarterly Review Pro report and please email us if you need a copy: industrypartnerships@experiencegoldcoast.com
SANCTUARY COVE BOAT SHOW 2026 OPENS FOR EXHIBITORS
Exhibitor applications are now open for the 2026 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, returning 21–24 May to the Gold Coast for its 37th year as the Southern Hemisphere’s largest and most influential marine showcase.
The 2026 event is expected to be one of the strongest yet, with record waitlist demand, new exhibitor applications opening from 11 December on a first-come, first-served basis.
This momentum is set to further elevate Queensland’s standing as a global boating and marine powerhouse -so don’t miss out on being part of the 2026 showcase!
THE QUEENSLAND STATE GOVERNMENT HAS THIS WEEK LAUNCHED A KEY DELIVERABLE OF THE DESTINATION 2045 PLAN: THE TOURISM SUPPORT HUB.
The tourism support hub provides personalised concierge service to reduce delays and make government support more accessible.
Some ways the hub can be used include streamlining the process for grants, business development and permit guidance, amongst other measures to simplify the experience of navigating government processes.
Every enquiry will be paired with a dedicated tourism support officer who can guide operators step by step and connect them with the right resources.
To access the Tourism Support Hub:
- Online: www.qld.gov.au/tourismsupporthub
- Phone: 07 3101 2002
- Email: tourismsupporthub@detsi.qld.gov.au
INBOUND QUEENSLAND 2026
Tourism and Events Queensland are pleased to invite the Queensland Industry to register for Inbound Queensland to be held at the Capella Sydney on Wednesday, 4 March 2026 including welcome networking drinks on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. This new inbound trade event aims to provide a platform for up to 40 Queensland-based products to engage and train 40-60 reservation staff and product managers from eastern and western market Inbound Tour Operators.
Inbound Queensland is being run in place of Queensland Showcase in 2026.
Event Location: Capella Sydney
Event Program:
- 3 March 2026: Welcome Networking drinks @ 5.30pm with Inbound Product Managers
- 4 March 2026: Full-day workshop in the B2B training format followed by networking drinks
Registration Details:
- Registrations close: 6.30pm (QLD time), Friday 19 December 2025
- Notification outcomes: by Monday, 16 January 2026
- Participation fee:
- Primary Delegate $850
- Secondary Delegate $750 (maximum 2 delegates in total)
- Payment due: 5.00pm (QLD time) Tuesday, 27 January 2026
Please note that participation is limited and will be capped - TEQ reserves the right to determine final product participation.
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
BUSINESS GROWTH FUND PROGRAM
The Business Growth Fund (BGF) is a grant program supporting high-growth Queensland businesses to accelerate expansion, boost the economy, and create jobs.
It offers $50,000–$75,000 in funding for equipment purchases, with recipients contributing at least 50% of project costs and receiving funds in three milestone payments. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future!
Before You Apply: Key Tips
- Allocate sufficient time: Expect the application process to take around one hour.
- Verify eligibility: Review the Guidelines and Terms & Conditions to ensure you meet all requirements.
- Organize supporting documents: Collect all necessary attachments before beginning your application.
- Be aware of funding limits: Submitting an application does not automatically secure funding.
- Applications close: 5:00 pm, 30 January 2026
QUICK SNIPPETS
- Please note that the EGC office will close for the Christmas and New Year period from Monday 22 December, and will reopen on Monday 5 January 2026.
- As we wrap up our last industry newsletter of 2025, we’d like to wish all our Partners a wonderful holiday season and a safe, successful summer period ahead. See you in the New Year!
VIEW THE 27 NOV 2025 VISITOR ECONOMY UPDATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Experience Gold Coast acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout Southeast Queensland.