Visitor Economy Update

2 July 2026

BE BUSINESS READY: CARD SURCHARGE CHANGES COMING 1 OCTOBER 2026

From 1 October 2026, Visa, Mastercard and eftpos will be able to ban businesses from charging surcharges on card payments, enforced through merchant agreements with banks and payment providers.  

Renaming surcharges as 'admin' or 'service' fees won’t get around the rules and could breach Australian Consumer Law.  

American Express and PayPal surcharges are not impacted, if they reflect actual processing costs.  

Now’s the time to review your pricing and merchant setup so you’re prepared ahead of the change!

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: TOURISM WEEK INDUSTRY OFFERS

Tourism Week will be held on the Gold Coast, 4-6 November 2026, and brings our industry together to learn, connect and champion Queensland’s visitor economy. As part of the Tourism Week industry engagement program, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and Experience Gold Coast invite Gold Coast tourism operators to provide site and famil visit industry offers to Tourism Week delegates. This provides the opportunity to showcase amazing Gold Coast experiences to our wider Queensland industry network.   

Details:  

• Industry offers will sit on the QTIC Tourism Week webpage.
• Operators are encouraged to provide promo codes or booking links for delegates to book direct. 
• Consider a redemption period to include the week pre and post Tourism Week (4-6 November 2026) to allow for delegate stays in region. 
• Copy limit of 50 words. 
• 1 x Hi-res jpeg image (landscape format). 
• Note if you have an existing trade offer with EGC, you are welcome to use this offer for Tourism Week.

All offers need to be submitted by Thursday 9th July 2026

AUSTRALIA MARKETPLACE UK & EUROPE 2026 SELLER APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Australia Marketplace UK & Europe 2026 will take place at Convene, 22 Bishopsgate in London from 16 - 18 November.  

This event brings together Australian tourism industry representatives with carefully selected travel agents and tour operators from the UK and Europe, providing a valuable platform to build and strengthen commercial relationships.  

Across two days, participants will engage in pre-scheduled appointments between buyers and sellers, alongside dedicated networking opportunities.  

Due to expected high demand, seller places are limited and subject to selection criteria. Oversubscription will be managed in collaboration with state and territory tourism organisations to ensure high-quality meeting schedules.

NEW SUSTAINABILITY MARKETING RULES ARE COMING — IS YOUR BUSINESS READY?

If your business uses terms like 'sustainable', 'eco-friendly' or 'green' in its marketing, a significant regulatory change is approaching. From September 2026, new European consumer protection rules will require environmental and sustainability claims to be backed by clear evidence and recognised third-party verification, including for businesses marketing to European consumers such as Queensland tourism operators. EarthCheck, in partnership with QTIC, has developed a practical guide to help operators understand what’s changing and what they may need to review. With increased scrutiny from regulators and booking platforms, now is the time to ensure your messaging is accurate, specific, and well-supported.  

The guide outlines:  

• What the new EU Empowering Consumers Directive means in practice
• Examples of sustainability claims that may be considered high risk
• How to ensure your marketing is accurate, clear, and substantiated 
• The importance of credible certification and accreditation  

CALLING ALL TOURISM INDUSTRY PARTNERS - STUDENT JOBS RECRUITMENT EVENT

Are you looking to connect with motivated student and graduate talent? Register your interest to participate in the Hospitality and Tourism Student Jobs Recruitment Event 2026 and meet students seeking employment opportunities across hospitality, tourism, events, business, retail, customer service, and more.  

Event Details

• When: 20 August 2026  
• Where: HOTA - Lakeside Room  

This flagship Experience Gold Coast initiative helps businesses access talent while supporting student employability and workforce development across the Gold Coast.  

• Connect with local and international students  
• Support the future workforce of our city  

Let's work together to connect talent with opportunity and support the future workforce of the Gold Coast.  

TEEING UP NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN THE KOREAN MARKET

Recently, Experience Gold Coast had the pleasure of welcoming a delegation of Korean travel industry representatives specialising in premium outbound golf tourism to the Gold Coast. 

Renowned as a golfer’s paradise, the Gold Coast offers world-class golf courses, exceptional golfing experiences and year-round playing conditions, making it an ideal destination for golf enthusiasts. The delegates were highly impressed by the quality of the golf courses, facilities, and the overall visitor experience on offer.

We extend our sincere thanks to Tourism Australia Korea for their valuable support in helping us organise and deliver this successful familiarisation (famil) tour.

SEVEN SHARP SHOWCASES THE GOLD COAST TO MORE THAN 2.8 MILLION NEW ZEALANDERS

Experience Gold Coast recently hosted the crew from TVNZ’s Seven Sharp in destination to support the launch of the new Qantas Auckland–Gold Coast service. The feature was designed to showcase the Gold Coast through the eyes of a local Kiwi family, with a New Zealand-born Qantas ambassador and his family acting as guides to some of their favourite local experiences. The segment strongly aligns with the Gold Coast’s Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) market, highlighting the lifestyle and experiences that encourage New Zealanders to reconnect with loved ones on the Coast.  

Filming included the latest attractions and precinct developments at the theme parks, a surf lesson on the southern Gold Coast’s iconic beaches, and unique wildlife experiences such as the Koala Breakfast at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. The integration will also be supported by a consumer competition, providing additional audience engagement and destination exposure. Seven Sharp is New Zealand’s #1 evening post-news program across all platforms, reaching more than 2.86 million New Zealanders annually (56.9% of the population), with a daily audience of almost 647,000 viewers and over 527,000 additional viewers on TVNZ+ in 2025. The program has reached more than half of all New Zealanders aged 5+ and 25–54, making it a highly effective platform for showcasing the Gold Coast to one of its most important international visitor markets. 

GOLD COAST FEATURED ON AIR NEW ZEALAND'S KIA ORA COVER

The Experience Gold Coast International Team recently hosted a freelance writer on behalf of Air New Zealand, and we're delighted to see the Gold Coast prominently featured in the latest edition of Kia Ora, Air New Zealand's inflight magazine, with a major destination story and the front cover. 

This is outstanding exposure for the Gold Coast, securing the front cover plus a seven-page feature inside the magazine. Kia Ora reaches 452,000 domestic New Zealand passengers each month across the airline's network and lounges, making it one of the most effective channels for engaging affluent New Zealand travellers. The timing could not be better, offering inspiration for Kiwis planning a winter escape or weighing up travel over the upcoming school holiday period. 

It's another example of the work underway to drive inbound demand from New Zealand, and a great opportunity for industry to align their own campaigns to capture it.

STARTING A SMALL BUSINESS? GET THE TAX BASICS RIGHT FROM DAY ONE

Starting a business comes with a lot of moving parts, and understanding your tax obligations early can save you time, money, and stress down the track. The ATO’s Tax Basics for Small Business video series breaks down key essentials like registering your business, understanding GST, record keeping, and staying compliant. It’s designed to give new business owners a clear, practical foundation without the jargon.  

Watch the series to make sure you’re set up correctly from the start. 

DON'T FORGET, SUBMISSIONS FOR THE QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS CLOSE 23 JULY

The awards celebrate excellence across Queensland’s tourism industry, recognising outstanding businesses, individuals, and events. Finalists and winners are announced at the annual Queensland Tourism Awards Gala Ceremony, with select category winners going on to compete at the Australian Tourism Awards.  

GOLD COAST NATURE-BASED TOURISM GRANTS PROGRAM CLOSING SOON

The Gold Coast’s Nature-Based Tourism Program supports businesses delivering low-impact, immersive experiences that showcase the region’s beaches, waterways, rainforests, and cultural heritage. Small and large grant funding is now available to help develop new or enhance existing nature-based tourism offerings.

Small grants (up to $100,000) support quick-activation projects that can be delivered by 30 June 2027, with applications open until 30 June and 20% co-contribution required. Large grants (up to $500,000) support more complex, innovative tourism experiences, with applications open until 31 July and outcomes announced in November 2026.