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With all eyes on Queensland’s tourism industry this week, the jewel in its crown has been busy preparing for its first wave of return travellers, as showcased in a new playful ‘Preparing For Your Return’ video released today.

Synonymous with the Gold Coast’s fun, laid back atmosphere and its friendly locals, the 60-second video features a series of creative clips from renowned operators as they excitedly prepare to welcome back visitors to Australia’s favourite playground.

The video is a follow-up to the  successful ‘Thanks To You, Parents’ instalment released earlier this month – which generated more than 1 million views on YouTube within a week – and spotlights how the family-favourite destination, operators and attractions have been spending their time counting down to showtime.

Making captivating appearances in the aspirational travel teaser are Sea World’s cheeky seals, Bam Bam Bakehouse’s backflipping baristas, Justin Lane’s perfect pizza makers and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary’s brilliant bird wranglers.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the light-hearted video reflects the quintessential Gold Coast spirit of making the best of the tough times they’ve faced over the past few months.

“With so much discussion around the Gold Coast this week, we wanted to showcase all the incredible things that make us such a favourite family-friendly destination – our beautiful scenery, playful experiences, delicious food and beverages, but also the incredible friendly faces,” Ms Battista said.

“It’s encouraging to see the positive spirit and tenacity of our operators during this challenging time. The creativity and resilience we have seen from locals has been inspiring and will continue to ensure we provide a world-class experience to our visitors as travel restrictions ease.”

The Gold Coast tourism sector is counting down to 12 June, as Queensland moves into stage two restrictions and the industry can start welcoming more drive and intrastate travellers.

Last year, the Gold Coast drew a record 14.2 million visitors, but the COVID-19 travel ban has halted the city’s biggest economic driver in tourism, worth $6 billion per year.

It is estimated that keeping the Queensland border closed until September would cost the Gold Coast an extra $500 million over two months at a minimum.

Ms Battista said while recovery wouldn’t happen overnight, there’s a reason why the Gold Coast is one of the nation’s favourite places to holiday, which coupled with the ability to capture outbound demand before international borders open, would give the industry a much-needed shot in the arm.

“Our time to shine again will come, but in the meantime, we are ready and excited for families to come and play in our incredible backyard.”

Destination Gold Coast’s ‘Preparing For Your Return’ video will be disseminated across social media, YouTube and Taboola. A dedicated version is also being released for New Zealand viewers.

Please see the link to embed the ‘Preparing For Your Return’ video content here.

From start to finish throughout the video, here is a full list of locations, experiences, businesses and attractions featured across the Gold Coast.

  1. Burleigh Headland
  2. Lorikeet Feeding, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
  3. Highline Palm Beach
  4. Rosella’s – Burleigh Heads
  5. Tweety Bird at Warner Bros. Movie World – Gold Coast, Australia
  6. Nineteen at The Star, Broadbeach
  7. Balter Brewing Company, Currumbin
  8. Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach
  9. Commune, Burleigh Heads
  10. JS Industries, Coolangatta
  11. Justin Lane, Burleigh Heads
  12. Sea World – Gold Coast, Australia, Main Beach
  13. Dreamworld Australia Corroboree, Coomera
  14. Bam Bam Bakehouse, Mermaid Beach
  15. Gold Coast Airport, Coolangatta
  16. Balter Brewing Company, Currumbin
  17. Surfing with The Mad Hueys at Snapper Rocks
  18. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
  19. Gwongurai Falls on the Toolona Creek Circuit, Lamington National Park
  20. Dreamworld Australia, Coomera
  21. QT Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise
  22. Hot Air Balloon Gold Coast
  23. Warner Bros. Movie World – Gold Coast, Australia, Oxenford
  24. Sea World – Gold Coast, Australia, Main Beach
  25. Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary
  26. Balter Brewing Company, Currumbin
  27. Rainbow Bay
  28. Tallebudgera Creek
  29. Warner Bros. Movie World – Gold Coast, Australia, Oxenford
  30. Curtis Falls, Tamborine Mountain
  31. Miami Marketta
  32. Go Ballooning Gold Coast over Emerald Lakes, Cararra