Social media campaign aims to share the love for the Gold Coast as region recovers from Cyclone Alfred

A wave of community support has flooded social media as locals and visitors get involved in a campaign to show the Gold Coast is truly back open for business after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Read the details here.

The #LOVEGC campaign rallies local, tourism operators and influences to use social media to share positive stories, imagery and personal connections to the Gold Coast. Picture: Instagram

Local businesses, celebrities and politicians have rallied behind the Gold Coast by getting involved in a new social media campaign aimed at encouraging visitors to travel to the region.

Experience Gold Coast has launched the campaign to bring back visitors to the city as the region recovers from the devastating impact of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

The wild weather caused the Coast’s iconic beaches to lose 80 per cent of their sand but as work continues to get most back open in time for the Easter holidays, the region is very much open for visitors – something the campaign seeks to emphasise.

The campaign, #LOVEGC, started as a social media push encouraging locals and visitors to share their love for the Coast and shine a light on businesses, operators and the resilience of the community.

Experience Gold Coast said the response had been “incredible”, with a wave of community support flooding social media.

“The response to the campaign just shows how much love there is out there both among locals and visitors for the Gold Coast,” Experience Gold Coast Head of Marketing, Brant Hirst said.

“The stories shared showcase the city’s beauty and resilience in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and everything it has to offer.”

Prominent figures to join the campaign include TV personalities Liz Cantor and Amanda Abate, businesswoman Emilee Hembrow, Tourism Minister Andrew Powell and Gold Coast Suns star Jarrod Witts.

“I really didn’t want those images of Alfred, or the heavily eroded beaches to cast a shadow over this beautiful place we call home,” Ms Abate said.

“We’ve bounced back so quickly, and I’m so happy to get behind local businesses who rely on a bumper trade this time of year.”

Ms Cantor shared a beach video with a rainbow striking the sea. “You could call this the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow,” she said.

Ms Hembrow said she was inspired by the “kindness and support” people showed each other on the Gold Coast.

“Growing up on the Gold Coast, I’ve always felt a strong connection to this incredible community. The kindness and support people show one another is truly inspiring,” she said.

“So to help raise awareness through my social media, I didn’t hesitate for a second. I’m more than happy to support the operators who’ve been impacted in any way I can.”

Dreamworld, Sun Sailing GC, Gold Coast Tourist Parks, Mysa Motel and Suarez Coffee are just some of the businesses to share their love for the city, with Surfing Australia using the hashtag in their Instagram reels of local surfers Milla Coco Brown and Xavier Huxtable catching waves.

Local sports groups and clubs like the Currumbin Beach Vikings have also rallied behind the campaign, while the Suns shared some of their favourite locations in the city under the hashtag.

“As a community-focused club and a key pillar in the tourism and entertainment industries on the Coast, we know we have a role to play in helping the Gold Coast get back to business as usual,” Gold Coast Suns Chief Executive Officer, Mark Evans said.

“We love the Gold Coast and our community, and support the campaign to #loveGC.

“We know Gold Coasters are resilient, and we will be doing everything we can to show our support to our city.”

The campaign is one of in a series of measures to kick-start tourism on the Gold Coast after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Council has set aside more than $3 million to bolster the industry, with Experience Gold Coast planning discounted accommodation, $50 vouchers and an unprecedented marketing blitz.

Originally published as Social media campaign aims to share the love for the Gold Coast as region recovers from Cyclone Alfred