4 June 2026
TOURISM BUSINESS CAPABILITY SUBSIDY
The Queensland Government's Tourism Business Capability Subsidy provides up to $2,000 to eligible sole traders, micro, small and medium-sized tourism and event businesses in Queensland to undertake targeted training and/or accreditation programs.
It covers areas such as sustainability and ecotourism, digital capability and AI, tour guiding, distribution and sales, cultural understanding, quality assurance, accessibility and risk mitigation.
Applications close at 5pm on 30 June 2026, or earlier if funding is fully allocated.
STRENGTHENING CULTURAL CAPABILITY ACROSS THE GOLD COAST
Multicultural Communities Council Gold Coast (MCCGC) is delivering a practical Cultural Awareness Training workshop for tourism, education, community and industry professionals. The engaging two-hour session will help teams build confidence when working with culturally diverse communities, students, visitors and clients.
Participants will gain practical tools to improve communication, strengthen inclusion, and create more culturally responsive workplaces and services. With over 40 years supporting multicultural communities across the Gold Coast, MCCGC brings real-world expertise and community insight to every session. Places are limited.
When: Wednesday, 17 June 2026
Where: MCCGC Southport Office
Cost: $140 per person
GOLD COAST STRENGTHENS INTERNATIONAL LINKS WITH QANTAS AND FIJI AIRWAYS SERVICES
A major boost for the Gold Coast’s international connectivity arrives this month, with both Qantas and Fiji Airways launching new direct international services into Gold Coast Airport. Qantas will begin direct flights to Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday 16 June 2026, returning international flying to the Gold Coast for the first time in almost five years. Operating three times per week, the route will add over 52,000 seats annually and offer the only Business Class option between the two cities, with onward connections across New Zealand and the Cook Islands via Jetstar.
Fiji Airways will also commence direct flights between the Gold Coast and Nadi, Fiji, on Thursday 11 June 2026, further expanding the region’s international access and providing seamless connections into Fiji and onward across the Pacific and North America.
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – FY27 TEQ INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSIONS
Planning to participate in a Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) led international or inbound trade mission in FY27?
TEQ is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) to help shape future trade mission planning and understand projected industry demand across upcoming programs and markets.
Submitting an EOI is not a commitment or guaranteed registration for any event — it is designed to help inform TEQ’s strategic planning for FY27 and beyond.
Industry partners are encouraged to complete the EOI form by 5 June.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER’S 2026 READER’S CHOICE AWARDS
Condé Nast Traveller’s 2026 Reader’s Choice Awards are live, featuring a strong showing of Gold Coast nominations. Congratulations to the following operators who have been shortlisted in the Resorts category:
- Mercure Gold Coast Resort
- Gwinganna Retreat & Spa
- Hilton Surfers Paradise
- The Star Gold Coast
- Imperial Hotel Gold Coast
- JW Marriot Resort & Spa
- Sheraton Mirage
The winners will be determined entirely by consumer voting. We need your help to get behind our Gold Coast finalists. We invite you to reflect upon your most memorable Gold Coast resort experiences and cast your vote for a chance to win a dream trip for two, courtesy of Condé Nast Traveler.
PATHWAYS TO INDUSTRY EXCELLENCE
Pathways to Industry Excellence is a free online learning initiative from QTIC designed to build a more sustainable, resilient and world-leading visitor economy for Queensland. The program is open to everyone who contributes to the destination, from tourism operators and events businesses through to retail and transport. Short, flexible courses (around 30–45 minutes each) cover key workforce needs including sustainability, ESG, decarbonisation, workplace wellbeing, risk and industrial relations. Upon completion, participants receive a digital certificate and badge they can share professionally.
CHINA AVIATION AND TRADE MISSION STRENGTHENS KEY PARTNERSHIPS
Experience Gold Coast's International Director, Jason Lucas, recently travelled to China alongside Adam Rowe, Chief of Aviation for Queensland Airports and Paul Donovan AM, Business Advisor for Queensland Airports and Experience Gold Coast on an intensive aviation and trade engagement mission.
Over five days, the delegation visited five key cities, meeting with airline partners, travel trade representatives and industry stakeholders to strengthen relationships, explore future opportunities and reinforce the Gold Coast's position as a leading international destination.
The mission provided a valuable platform to discuss aviation connectivity, market trends and future collaboration opportunities, while demonstrating Experience Gold Coast's continued commitment to the Chinese market. These in-market engagements play an important role in maintaining strong industry partnerships and ensuring the Gold Coast remains front of mind as airlines and trade partners plan for future growth.
As one of the Gold Coast's most significant international visitor markets, China continues to present strong opportunities for aviation development and visitor growth, making relationship-building and trade engagement activities such as this a key priority.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Each fortnight, we’ll profile an EGC Partner- giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the businesses driving the Gold Coast visitor economy!
HOP ON BREWERY TOURS
How would you describe your business and what you offer to someone new to the Gold Coast?
We run craft brewery and distillery tours visiting multiple venues in a day and educating guests about beer/spirits, all while providing plenty of tasters.
What inspired you to start or join this business?
The growing beer scene across SEQ, the niche market, and our love of beer.
What’s one thing clients, guests, or partners consistently value or remember about working with you?
How much they learn and how many different styles they get to taste during the day. Not only do they walk away having tried plenty of different beers/spirits ciders etc but the satisfaction of having learned all about them adds to their customer experience.
What sets your business apart within the Gold Coast tourism industry?
We are the ONLY ones offering what we do. We showcase the growing, award-winning craft beer and spirits industry on the Gold Coast, which has a trickle-down effect supporting other small businesses and producers. It's the epitome of local.
What’s a fun or lesser-known fact about your business or team?
The team's love of beer actually comes from Joslyn, originally from Portland, Oregon in the USA, a city with more than 70 - 100 craft breweries in its greater metropolitan area. When she moved here she introduced this to partner Matt and from there a monster was born!
What’s something you’re particularly proud of that you’d like others to know about?
We have over 1,000 5-star reviews and have been recognised as a "Best of Queensland" Experience annually since 2019
What impact do you hope your business has on visitors, partners, or the wider industry?
There's a different answer for each of those questions. For visitors, it's about visiting places and meeting people that might be slightly off the "tourist trail", and getting to hear the stories about locals building strong communities of their own around their brewery or distillery; for partners, we hope they see the benefit of us bringing groups through their doors who may never have found them otherwise, whether it's because they're not on a main public transport link or simply because these smaller businesses aren't shouted from the rooftops; for the wider industry, our support of independent breweries and distilleries spreads the word that SEQ beer is more than what's sold in mainstream bottle shops, and we educate the public and encourage them to step out of their comfort zones and try new styles and flavours.
PARTNER ANNOUNCEMENTS
GC TOURIST PARKS SUCCESS AT CARAVAN INDUSTRY AWARDS
Congratulations to the below tourist parks on their outstanding achievements and well-deserved recognition at the Caravan Industry State & National Awards, truly a golden night for GC Tourist Parks!
Broadwater Tourist Park
- Outstanding Host (Second consecutive year)
- Good Corporate Citizen (Charity fundraising & community initiatives).
Kirra Beach Tourist Park
- Tidy Park (Second consecutive year)
Tallebudgera Creek Tourist Park
- Memorable Moments 'Halloween weekend'
Burleigh Beach Tourist Park
- Employee of the Year - Laura Nicholls
The third consecutive year a GC Tourist Parks staff has won.
Ocean Beach Tourist Park
- ReviewPro People's Choice, Bronze Award.
The third consecutive year this boutique Park has placed in the top 3 parks across Australia.
VIEW THE 21 MAY 2026 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.