27 November 2025
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS OF THE 40TH QUEENSLAND TOURISM AWARDS
Team Gold Coast took out an incredible 13 accolades at the 40th Queensland Tourism Awards. Recognising the outstanding achievements of the state's tourism industry, it was exciting to see the following Gold Coast products and experiences recognised:
GOLD
- Blues on Broadbeach | Major Festivals and Events
- BIG4 Gold Coast Holiday Park | Caravan and Holiday Parks
- GC Aqua Park | Major Tourist Attractions
SILVER
- Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park | Caravan and Holiday Parks
- Gold Coast Wake Park | Excellence in Accessible Tourism
- Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre | Business Event Venues
- Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary | Major Tourist Attractions
BRONZE
- Broadwater Tourist Park | Caravan and Holiday Parks
- Holiday Holiday | Self Contained Accommodation
- Tamborine Mountain Glades | Business Event Venues
- Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience
- SkyPoint | Major Tourist Attractions
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
- Tamborine Mountain Glades | RACQ People's Choice Awards for Accommodation
GOLD COAST TO HOST QUEENSLAND TOURISM WEEK 2026
Save the date. Queensland Tourism Week will be held on the Gold Coast from 4 - 6 November 2026 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
From First Nations leadership at the Destination IQ Forum, to strategy at DestinationQ and celebrating excellence at the Queensland Tourism Awards – Tourism Week brings our industry together to learn, connect and champion Queensland’s visitor economy.
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. Log-into ATDW and make sure you check the following before 31 Dec 2025.
- 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: industrypartnerships@experiencegoldcoast.com
TEQ CONNECT WEBINAR SERIES
If you’ve recently missed a TEQ Connect session or want to revisit key insights, you can find recordings of past webinars, along with supporting resources, and tools below.
- Best of Queensland Experience Program outlining the new criteria and recognition levels – view recording or view the presentation
- ATDW optimisation session highlighting how to enhance your online visibility on www.experiencegoldcoast.com and www.queensland.com – view recording or view the presentation
INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES
SECURE COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
Grants are now available for eligible small and family businesses. This program is designed to help safeguard small and family-owned businesses from crime and financial setbacks by supporting the installation of essential security and safety upgrades. These improvements will contribute to safer business precincts and a stronger, more secure operating environment for businesses across Queensland.
Submit your project application detailing:
- How proposed crime deterrents will reduce the cost and impact of crime on your business
- How you will address security vulnerabilities by adopting proven security measures and equipment
Applications close at 5pm, Friday 30 January 2026, unless funding is exhausted earlier.
PROTECTING QUEENSLAND TOURISM: FREE CYBER WARDENS TRAINING TO BOOST SMALL BUSINESS CYBER SAFETY
Queensland tourism operators can now access free, industry-specific Cyber Wardens training to help protect their booking systems, customer data, and finances from cyber threats. This targeted program strengthens cyber resilience across the tourism sector ahead of the busy summer season.
Level 2: Safe AI for Small Business
This webinar will show you how to confidently and safely use AI in your business by boosting efficiency, recognising how cyber criminals misuse AI, and understanding key industry risks along with practical steps to protect your information.
Date: Tuesday 9 December, 12:00pm (QLD)
Level 3: Cyber-Fit for the Supply Chain
In this session, you’ll learn what it means to be cyber fit and why small businesses matter, how the Essential Eight and SMB1001 standards apply in practice, how to assess your suppliers’ cyber risk management, and why every business needs an Incident Response Plan- including how to create one.
Date: Tuesday 16 December at 12:00pm (QLD)
EOI NOW OPEN – KICKSTART GRADUATE PROGRAM 2026
The Kickstart Graduate program is an exclusive initiative for Gold Coast businesses to invest in the growth of their recently employed graduates, helping them fast-track their transition into the workplace.
The program is designed to provide graduates with the practical workplace skills and resources to build their effectiveness in their organisation.
Endorsed by the City of Gold Coast, it offers 11 half-day workshops with local business guest speakers, providing graduates with practical skills and resources.
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
WHITE CHRISTMAS RETURNS!
This December, celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with the return of White Christmas Joy to the World at Warner Bros. Movie World! Step into a dazzling winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and unforgettable moments for the whole family. Be enchanted by the Joy to the World Christmas parade, featuring spectacular floats from around the globe. Meet beloved Christmas characters, explore themed precincts and indulge in festive treats. Plus, enjoy your favourite rides under the stars including Flight of the Wicked Witch and Kansas Twister, for the first time during White Christmas.
FREE FESTIVE FUN TO BE HAD AT CHRISTMAS IN COOMERA
An epic weekend of family-friendly Christmas activities is coming to the north (pole).
Festive fun including a DJ dance party, putt putt, roving entertainment, face painting, meet and greet with the Grinch, and appearances from Santa on stage. The Christmas cheer doesn’t stop there! There’ll also be photo moments, food trucks and market stalls to explore.
Where: 35 Beattie Road, Coomera (Coomera Indoor Sports Centre Forecourt)
When: Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 December, 2pm-8pm
ENJOY FREE FAMILY FUN WITH CHRISTMAS IN BROADBEACH
Step into the magic of Christmas in Broadbeach, Monday 15 to Sunday 21 December, as Broadbeach Mall transforms into a magical gingerbread village filled with FREE, family fun. Little elves can decorate gingerbread cookies, try Christmas crafts, and enjoy enchanting storytime theatre (bookings required). They can also explore The Oasis Treasure Hunt or post their Christmas wish list at Santa’s Post Office. In the evenings, meet Santa and snap a free selfie and be sure to catch Movies Under the Stars on Friday 19 December at Kurrawa Park. Join us at Christmas in Broadbeach, presented by City of Gold Coast.
THE COOLY CAROLS ARE COMING TO TOWN!
The much-loved Cooly Carols returns beachside at Queen Elizabeth Park on Sunday 14 December from 5:30pm. Hosted by the Gold Coast’s very own Nicka35, this free, family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate the festive season. Enjoy an evening of your favourite Christmas carols, delicious food trucks, and a visit from the big man in red, before a dazzling fireworks finale lights up the Coolangatta sky. Make your journey active and walk, ride, scoot or skate to the event - Santa has his parachute packed! Celebrate the magic of Christmas at Cooly Carols, presented by City of Gold Coast.
QUICK SNIPPETS
- The world's first cliff park is opening at Binna Burra this summer.
VIEW THE 13 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.