18 September 2025
EXPERIENCE QUEENSLAND: JAPAN & SOUTH KOREA
Recently, Experience Gold Coast was proud to co-host Experience Queensland – Japan and South Korea, in partnership with Tourism and Events Queensland.
This two-day trade event brought together over 43 influential travel buyers from Japan and South Korea - including Product Managers and Inbound Operators - with over 40 Queensland tourism operators.
Through targeted one-on-one appointments, the program provided an invaluable platform to showcase the Gold Coast's diverse experiences and strengthen long-term relationships in these key markets.
The program included:
• A welcome Dinner at The Star Entertainment Group
• Two days of B2B workshops at the Mondrian Gold Coast
• A farewell Dinner at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s Homestead
Alongside these sessions, curated pre- and post-familiarisation itineraries enabled international partners to experience Queensland and Gold Coast products first-hand, helping to deepen connections and inspire future travel opportunities.
By hosting this program on the Gold Coast, we fostered meaningful industry relationships and showcased the city’s world-class tourism experiences, ensuring it remains front of mind for Japanese and South Korean travellers when choosing Australia as a destination.
$80 MILLION TOURISM ICONS INVESTMENT FUND LAUNCHED
Last Wednesday marked 100 days since the launch of Destination 2045: Delivering Queensland’s Tourism Future strategy – the Queensland Government’s bold vision to elevate the state as a global destination of choice.
To celebrate, Queensland Minister for Tourism Andrew Powell took the opportunity at Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s (QTIC) World Tourism Day event at The Star Gold Coast to announce the $80 million Tourism Icons Investment Fund (TIIF). The TIIF has been designed to support the development of infrastructure, attractions and experiences that exceed expectations and leave lasting benefits to communities, create jobs and support more tourism related businesses to grow and thrive. Round 1 is $20 million with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science, and Innovation committed to releasing annual $20 million rounds of funding for 4 years.
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
TICKETS RELEASED: TOURISM WEEK 2025
Tourism Week 2025 will be held from 12-14 November at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, it’s the must-do industry event of the year, combining tourism’s premier annual events – the Destination IQ and DestinationQ Forums, and the Queensland Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony.
Come along for a week packed with insights on tourism trends, strategies for growth, networking and celebrations of combined successes.
Sponsorship opportunities for Destination Q and Destination IQ Conferences close on September 30. Contact the QTIC team here for information on all options available.
Secure your place at Tourism Week 2025!
EOI NOW OPEN | CAIRNS & GOLD COAST JOINT JAPAN MISSION 2026
Experience Gold Coast, in partnership with Tourism Tropical North Queensland, invites you to join the 2026 Joint Japan Mission. This mission will connect participating businesses with leading Japanese wholesalers, education, MICE, retail, and online travel agents across Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya through a series of high-value workshops and networking events.
Dates: 13 – 19 January 2026
View the full prospectus HERE and submit your EOI by COB 30 September 2025.
SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS AT VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA’S SCHOOLS CUP
The Australian Volleyball Schools Cup is making its return to the Gold Coast from 7 – 13 December 2025, and Volleyball Australia (VA) are giving Gold Coast businesses the opportunity to be part of the action. This national event will attract thousands of students, families, and supporters from all over the country, with over 500 teams across 160 schools from Australia and New Zealand.
VA are inviting local businesses to become a vendor at the event at Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre or provide an A4 printable flyer with an exclusive discount or deal valid throughout the event week, 7-13 December 2025. Offers are promoted directly to the event attendees and the VA wider audience, helping visitors discover and enjoy the very best of the Gold Coast.
To be included, simply send your flyer (or any questions) directly to Aaron Pope at VA:
aaron.pope@volleyball.org.au by Monday, 3 November 2025.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2026 ENGAGING SCIENCE GRANTS PROGRAM
The Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation’s Engaging Science Grants provide support to teachers, scientists, tourism operators and citizen science groups to deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based events or educational and engagement activities.
In this round, projects that integrate science participation or STEM education into nature-based tourism will be highly regarded. For example, eligible projects could include providing science-led ecological tours or educational workshops, delivering citizen science projects to monitor local species, or holding a bioblitz or community science festival.
Funding of up to $25,000 is available for up to one-year projects, commencing in 2026.
Applications close 4 pm, 22 September 2025.
More information on past recipients and eligibility can be found on the Engaging Science Grants website.
QTIC GATEWAY TO INDUSTRY SCHOOLS PROGRAM – EMPLOYER EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Is your business ready to help shape the next generation of tourism and hospitality professionals?
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) invites tourism and hospitality businesses across all of Queensland’s tourism regions to express their interest in providing experiential learning opportunities for secondary school students through the Gateway to Industry Schools Program (GISP).
These opportunities allow students to gain real-world insight into the industry and enable your business to connect with enthusiastic young people exploring their future career paths.
eLEARNING HUB NOW AVAILABLE FOR AUSTRALIAN TOURISM INDUSTRY
Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell recently launched the Quality Tourism eLearning Hub, a new training hub created for Australia’s tourism industry.
Developed with eLearning specialists, etrainu, the eLearning Hub is designed to support tourism operators and their staff to build and improve skills, enhance professionalism and develop stronger business capability.
The eLearning Hub forms part of ATIC’s Quality Tourism Framework (QTF), which offers industry operators a suite of online training and accreditation programs designed to build capability and quality across the industry.
Find out more and access the Quality Tourism eLearning Hub at: Quality Tourism Framework - Quality Tourism Australia.
ENTER NOW: GOLD COAST BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Each month, awards are presented in 11 categories. At the end of the year, all the monthly winners vie for annual awards in each category and compete for the Business of the Year Award honour at a black-tie Gala Awards Dinner to be held on 29th November 2025 at The Star Gold Coast.
Entries are due by 5:00pm on the 1st of each month from May to October inclusive. Where the 1st of the month falls on a weekend or a public holiday, entries will be due on the first working day after the weekend or public holiday.
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
SURFERS PARADISE STAND UP PADDLE ADVENTURE
Join Australian Kayaking Adventures for a relaxing stand-up paddle board tour to beautiful Macintosh Island.
Glide along calm waterways, enjoy stunning skyline views, and spot local wildlife along the way. Perfect for beginners and adventurers alike, this guided experience combines fun, fitness, and the Gold Coast’s natural beauty.
GOLD COAST, GET READY TO FLY!
Introducing MyFly Australia – the first mobile, inflatable basketball court bringing high-energy fun to festivals, shows, and community events. With a unique bouncy surface and adjustable hoops (1.4m–3.05m), MyFly is designed for all ages and abilities to jump higher, dunk bigger, and create unforgettable memories.
Fully insured, DRA-compliant, and Australian Standard certified, MyFly is a turn-key, safe, and crowd-magnet attraction that keeps audiences engaged and excited. Based in Lennox Head, we proudly operate across Northern NSW and Queensland, including the Gold Coast.
E: info@myflyaustralia.com.au
W: https://www.myflyaustralia.com.au/
IG: @myfly_australia
QUICK SNIPPETS
- Applications are now open for a new $10 million round of the Wine Tourism and Cellar Door Grant. Eligible producers can apply until 31 October for grants of up to $100,000.
- Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) are holding 2025 consultations for the Core Skills Occupations List from until 26 September. Have your say online or email CoreSkillsList@jobsandskills.gov.au.
VIEW THE 04 SEP 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.