Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year Awards: Aquaduck owner Sarah Colgate nominated in Stars of Tourism category

A tourism dynamo has revealed her optimism for the future of the city’s visitor offerings – but has urged the sector to “renew” and “refresh”.

Sarah Colgate has made a career – and art – out of “making people feel good”.

And the boss of Gold Coast tourism frontrunners such as Aquaduck says she is not alone: There are a lot of women on the Gold Coast who have “an abundance of amazing ideas”.

It is ideas like Ms Colgate’s that have earned her a nomination in this year’s Gold Coast Bulletin Women of the Year Awards — in the Stars of Tourism category

Aquaduck’s Sarah Colgate.

After corporate roles at Accor Group and Rendezvous Hotels over more than two decades, Ms Colgate realised she wanted more opportunity to “be creative and develop businesses and products”.

NOMINATE THE GOLD COAST BULLETIN WOMEN OF THE YEAR

After all, she says she is “in the business of making people feel good”.

“That’s what Aquaduck Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast and our other businesses, Southern Cross Tours and Secret Scandals and Sunsets — are all about — helping people create new memories on their holiday,” she says.

Aquaduck on the water. Gold Coast. Picture: Tourism and Events Queensland.

Ms Colgate says since taking on Aquaduck in 2018, she has endured “two good years and two really challenging years” – thanks to the pandemic – but is confident the Coast’s tourism sector “has a golden opportunity to renew, refresh and continue pushing its amazing products, offerings and experiences”.

“There’s not many destinations I can think of that appeal to all markets like the Gold Coast.

“The level of local investment is exciting. People continue to invest here every day in incredible new experiences, attractions, restaurants, clubs and hotels.”

Ms Colgate says she is “honoured” to have received a nomination for the awards.

“It’s amazing. Women have a special ability to support one another in business and that’s very rewarding. The women here are so open, accepting and supportive and it’s honestly like no other environment I’ve experienced and that’s truly powerful.”