13 February 2025
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
APPLY NOW: QUEENSLAND TOURISM FUTURES MENTORING PROGRAM
The QTIC Queensland Tourism Futures mentoring program, reimagined for 2025 to better meet industry needs, is now accepting applications. Running from March to September, the program offers flexibility, with meetings that can take place in person, online, or by phone.
In partnership with the University of Queensland, the program connects those kick-starting their careers with industry icons eager to foster professional growth.
Apply as a mentor or mentee by Friday, 21 February 2025.
EVENT OFFER OPPORTUNITY: AUSTRALIAN SURF LIFESAVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Australian Surf Life Saving Championships (the 'Aussies') is a nine-day national Surf Life Saving competition hosted from 29 March – 6 April 2025, attracting more than 15,000 visitors to the Gold Coast. The 2024 event was estimated to have contributed $25 million to the Queensland economy.
Surf Life Saving Australia is offering local businesses the opportunity to engage with the event, providing free promotion for businesses, products, or services to all competitors from across Australia and around the world.
Interested in getting involved? Submit your interest via the online form with the promotion you’d like to offer the 8,000+ competitors.
GOLD COAST WELCOMES YOU TRAINING PROGRAM
The Gold Coast Welcomes You Program has been developed to inspire everyone involved in welcoming guests to become proud hosts and deliver exceptional experiences so that our guests become passionate advocates for our region.
Open to all businesses and volunteers who play a role in welcoming and hosting guests.
The Queensland Welcomes You initiative is proudly funded by the Queensland Government and delivered by the Queensland Regional Tourism Network.
In-person 2-hour workshops are also being held by renowned tourism consultants Jayne Jennings and Linda Tillman on Thursday 27 February (morning and afternoon).
These highly interactive workshops will take a deep dive to help participants apply the learnings from the online program to their guest interactions. Secure a spot for a team member to gain valuable insights and bring fresh perspectives back to your business.
Morning session: 9am-11am
Afternoon session: 1pm-3pm
UPDATE YOUR INDUSTRY OFFERS
The international team is gearing up for several trips to our core markets, where we regularly engage with Travel Trade partners. One of the most frequent questions we receive is about available industry rates.
To ensure we are sharing the most up-to-date offers, we will be refreshing our online Trade Offers page in the coming weeks.If you have a new offer you’d like to feature or if you’d like your existing offer to remain, please ensure you complete the submission form by Friday, 14 February 2025.
After this date, all current offers will be replaced with newly submitted ones.
Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your offer to our global trade partners!
For any questions, please reach out to our International team.
VIRTUAL INDUSTRY UPDATE - JANUARY 2025
Thank you to those who joined us on Friday, 31 January 2025 for our first Virtual Industry Update for the year.
For those who missed out on attending this update, you can view the webinar recording and the slides. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Industry Partnerships team.
MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
AIRTRAIN AND TRAM TO BRISBANE AIRPORT FOR ONLY $23.30
Starting this week, travel from any G:link tram station to Brisbane Airport for only $23.30. The connection includes a journey on the G:link tram to Helensvale, and the journey on the train direct to Brisbane Airport.
This offer is available when tickets are booked online at airtrain.com.au, when purchasing tickets at the G:link station ticket machines, when using a go card, or contactless debit or credit card.
KICKSTART THE NEW YEAR AT TOPGOLF
Ditch boring restaurants and stuffy conference rooms - make your next event unforgettable at Topgolf. With cutting-edge game play technology and versatile spaces for every group, Topgolf have got everything you need to bring the team together in 2025.
Take on exciting games like the Sonic The Hedgehog and collect rings or crush jewels and launch Angry Birds - Toptracer technology tracks every swing and brings the fun to life.
Perfect for team building, celebrations, conferences, and everything in between, Topgolf offers endless excitement and a unique experience.
Book your event today and kick off 2025.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
MONDRIAN GOLD COAST
Inspired by the eclectic spirit of Burleigh, Mondrian Gold Coast is a destination lifestyle precinct featuring 208 studios, suites, homes, and beach houses with private plunge pools, along with the exclusive Sky House.
Savour the flavours of Burleigh with two levels of dining: LITO, a playful Italian cafe, restaurant and bar, and Haven, a surf-to-plate seafood restaurant alongside a lively pool club. Ciel Spa is a dynamic wellness sanctuary featuring biohacking technology with holistic therapies.
For meetings and events, explore 20 unique spaces designed for inspiration and connection. Mondrian Gold Coast is where the essence of escapism and barefoot rhythm of Burleigh come alive.
AUSTRALIAN SURFING ADVENTURES
What better place to learn how to surf than the iconic Gold Coast? Learning to surf is a must-do experience and something you will be able to brag about for years to come.
The Gold Coast is a surfer’s paradise, with perfect waves for beginners and world-class waves for the advanced surfer. Our most popular classes are group lessons.
KENZ BEAUTY SPA AND MOROCCAN HAMMAM
Nestled in the vibrant heart of the Gold Coast, Kenz Beauty Spa and Moroccan Hammam, is a haven that invites all women both locals and tourists to step back into the world of ancient wellness and beauty practices.
Embark on a journey of ultimate relaxation as we enchant your senses with the ancient secrets of Morocco. We believe in combining the forces of nature and tradition with modern modes of relaxation to cater to your mind, body, and spirit.
KINETIK GLOBAL
Our mission is to support managers in successfully transitioning from individual contributors to impactful leaders, reducing the risk of burnout and fostering sustained success for individuals and organisations.
QUICK SNIPPETS
- Austrade’s Tourism Research Australia (TRA) has a new series of country profiles offering handy one-stop guides to Australia’s tourism source markets.
VIEW THE 30 JANUARY 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.