Big Red Group supports Gold Coast recovery with voucher website

Big Red Group supports Gold Coast recovery with voucher website
Edited by Travel Weekly


Big Red Group has partnered with The Queensland Government and Destination Gold Coast to build a website offering thousands of vouchers for Australians to claim and use at Gold Coast-based experience operators.

Launched on 15 January, the Gold Coast Summer FUNds campaign proved popular with Queenslanders, and over just six days, the BRG-powered website saw over three million page views, with all 50,000 $50 vouchers claimed and over $7.2 million spent on attractions and experiences.

The $2.5 million initiative, delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, Experience Gold Coast and City of Gold Coast encouraged Queensland residents to support more than 180 tours, attractions and experiences impacted by weather events over the peak summer holiday period.

“Responding to the request for support, I’m very proud of the local team who set up the technology within a few days,” CEO, Big Red Group, David Anderson, said.

“We experienced unprecedented demand from the moment the campaign launched with up to 200,000 South East Queenslanders on the site at any moment rushing to book a range of activities and support the program to play their part to support tourism recovery in the Gold Coast.

“Vouchers have been redeemed at an incredible rate with up to 200 purchases per minute and selling out all 50,000 vouchers within six days.

“A success measured on many levels, but, in particular by the number of experience operators who have called our team, grateful for bookings at a time when they need them most.”

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said the phenomenal success of GC Summer FUNds was because of the world-class attractions on offer.

“These deals were snapped up in record time with unprecedented demand,” he said.

“It is a testament to the strength of our tourism industry. The enthusiasm of South East Queenslanders who have made the most of these deals has provided a very welcome boost to the local economy.

“This confirms the Gold Coast is well and truly back open for business and the perfect destination for holidaymakers from near and far.”

Welcome sign in the heart of Surfers Paradise, the holiday capital of the Gold Coast, Queensland Australia with beach in background. (iStock – jennybonner)

“The Gold Coast tourism industry lost some of their best trading days of the year as a result of these recent storms and it is really great to see the positive impact the GC Summer FUNDs campaign in helping these businesses,” CEO, Tourism & Events Queensland, Patricia O’Callaghan, said.

“There really were experiences up for grabs that appeal to all and it has been so great to see such strong uptake, with over $7.2 million spent on attractions and experiences.”

Click HERE for more information about GC Summer FUNds.

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