16 October 2025
QUEENSLAND IS CALLING UK & EUROPE
Following attendance at Australia Marketplace North America, Experience Gold Coast has just wrapped up a highly successful international sales mission, representing our region at Queensland is Calling - UK & Europe.
This event held by Tourism and Events Queensland provided the opportunity for us to engage with 60 influential UK and European Product Managers and wholesaler staff, and also provide destination updates to over 80 retail agents (including Aussie Specialists), promoting the Gold Coast as a must-visit holiday destination to long haul travellers, and highlighting how it can be seamlessly be incorporated into Australian itineraries.
This visit comes off the back of positive results from recent Tourism Research Australia’s latest data release.
In the 12 months to June, visitors were up by 16% YoY from the United Kingdom. The Gold Coast also saw record visitor nights by travellers from the United Kingdom reaching 862,000 (+51% increase from the previous year) as well as record visitor expenditure at $104m (+95%)
Growth in the European market has outpaced Asian markets with visitors willing to travel further to holiday on the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast welcomed positive YoY growth in visitation and spend from Germany, France and Italy, and visitation from Scandinavia surged an impressive 88%.
These results reinforce the Gold Coast's growing appeal as an international tourism destination, and its value to the broader Queensland visitor economy.
A big thank you to two Gold Coast tourism operators who also attended the event, Jelllurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre and Pineapple Tours, to help bring the Gold Coast story to life.
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
JOIN THE CPAQ REGIONAL ROUNDTABLE – GOLD COAST (IN-PERSON EVENT)
The Caravan Parks Association of Queensland (CPAQ) is bringing its 2025 Regional Roundtable series to the Gold Coast. Scheduled for 28 October from 4–7pm at BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park in Helensvale, this in-person event offers park operators a chance to engage directly with the CPAQ team, connect with peers, and gain practical updates relevant to the industry. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation.
INTRODUCTION TO GRANT WRITING – ONLINE WORKSHOP BY CITY OF GOLD COAST (VIRTUAL EVENT)
Community groups, volunteers, and not-for-profits are invited to attend a practical two-hour online workshop focused on grant writing, hosted by the City of Gold Coast. Learn essential tips to improve your confidence and increase your chances of securing funding. The session will be held virtually on 18 November from 10am to 12pm. Be sure to register to take part.
REGISTER NOW: TOURISM AUSTRALIA INDUSTRY BRIEFING
Tourism Australia’s 2025 Industry Briefing will take place on Tuesday, 21 October at The Langham, Gold Coast. The briefing will include updates on current trends and market insights as well as the latest details on Tourism Australia’s marketing activity. Some of Tourism Australia’s Regional General Managers will join the briefings to provide more specific insights into their markets.
ATE26 – SELLER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
The 46th Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE26) will be held in Adelaide / Tarntanya from Sunday, 10 May to Thursday, 14 May 2026. This major event will bring together 1,500 Australian sellers and 700 international distribution partners from over 30 countries. Seller applications are now open. See Tourism Australia’s event website for more details.
DON’T MISS THE FIRST TEQ CONNECT WEBINAR – BEST OF QUEENSLAND EXPERIENCES PROGRAM (BOQEP)
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is launching TEQ Connect, a new webinar series designed to keep tourism operators informed, inspired, and future-ready.
Join us for the first session:
• Date: Thursday, 30 October 2025
• Time: 10:30am – 11:15am AEST
• Where: Microsoft Teams (Virtual Event)
This session is ideal for operators familiar with the Best of Queensland Experiences Program (BOQEP) who want to:
• Understand updated criteria ahead of the 2026 assessment cut-off
• Learn about new recognition levels and how to move up
• Ensure their ATDW listing is ready
• Maximise the impact of customer reviews and the ReviewPro GRI
Secure your spot today so you’re ready for the 2026 assessment!
SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS AT THE GOLD COAST 500
This initiative offers a unique platform for businesses to engage with an international audience, build community connections, and leverage one of Queensland’s biggest sporting events to boost their profile. Associated events include after-race parties, themed nights, street parties, car cruises, shopping centre activations, family days, and themed lunches.
Participating offers a range of benefits, including promotion through the Supercars website, digital, social, and traditional channels, a physical marketing and promotional kit. Being part of the program also positions your event within the broader Gold Coast 500 off-track celebrations, connecting with both locals and visitors to the city.
Events must feature a Gold Coast 500 theme, promote the Boost Mobile Gold Coast 500 and the region, and comply with sponsor and content guidelines. Applications are now open, with many events already registered.
SUBMIT YOUR STUDENT DEAL
Do you have a special offer for students? Fill out this quick form to share your deal with our student community!
Your deal will be promoted exclusively via @studentexperience.gc and Student Hub TV. Please note that submission does not guarantee inclusion—each deal will be reviewed by our team based on relevance, suitability, and available content space.
We encourage offers to remain valid for at least three months to give students plenty of time to enjoy them.
Please email your photos and flyers directly to: industrypartnerships@experiencegoldcoast.com
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
EXCLUSIVE CHRISTMAS PACKAGES AT THE PINK FLAMINGO
Celebrate the festive season in style at The Pink Flamingo Gold Coast with exclusive Christmas Packages, available across November & December shows. These packages combine food, drinks, and entertainment for an unforgettable night out.
Each Christmas Package includes a Christmas cocktail per person, two small bites (arancini & spring rolls), one substantial bite (chicken taco), and a show ticket. For a truly elevated experience, we have two exclusive Balcony Christmas Packages — offering the same festive delights and a $2000 bar tab in a premium private space. Enquire at info@pfau.com.au or call 07 5616 8914 to secure your seats.
HALLOWEEN IN THE LANEWAY
Celebrate the spirit of Halloween at Cavill Lane Surfers Paradise on October 31st from 4-9pm.
Shop til you drop with The Witches Markets, grab photos and watch out for frights with our roving actors and enjoy our themed entertainers. Make a night of it and drink and dine at one of our many restaurants. See you in the laneway!
QUICK SNIPPETS
• Save the Date - EGC Industry Year End Celebration - This year, we’ll be celebrating at SkyPoint Observation Deck on Thursday, 27th November from 5:30pm. More information coming soon!
• DestinationQ Program released - Queensland’s premier tourism conference returns, and this year’s program, built on your feedback, features interactive sessions on AI, workforce, sustainability, investment, aviation, regional priorities and First Nations tourism. READ MORE.
• Take part in the AccessibleOz Supplier Survey: AccessibleOz is inviting tourism operators who cater to people with disabilities and special needs to take part in the Supplier Survey. Whether you provide accessible accommodation, tours, transport, or experiences, your input will help to strengthen the accessible product offerings in Queensland. By participating, AccessibleOz will also be able to promote your products or services to domestic and international markets through inbound, wholesale and retail travel partners. For further information or questions contact yann@accessibleoz.com.
VIEW THE 02 OCT 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.