Extraordinary Gold Coast holiday up for grabs in tourism campaign

Fancy an all-expenses paid holiday on the Gold Coast including a private helicopter flight and a five star resort? FIND OUT HOW TO WIN THIS INCREDIBLE PRIZE.

It’s the VIP answer to an SOS that is oh-so very GC.

Destination Gold Coast will on Thursday unveil an extraordinary new tourism campaign to “rescue” Covid-weary southerners with a private helicopter flight to a five-star resort on the Glitter Strip.

Dubbed “#PlayRescue”, the campaign will award one lucky family an all-expenses paid week on the Gold Coast, including flights to Coolangatta and a private helicopter transfer to the Sheraton Grand Mirage resort.

It also includes a trip to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary, time at Jellurgal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, a day out at Dreamworld and dining at the Southport Yacht Club in one of the most elaborate Queensland tourism campaigns since the Best Job in the World competition which broke the internet over a decade ago.

Ryan and Karley McAlpin with their children Hudson 7, Elliott 4, Reeve 2, Halle 1, promote new campaign by Destination Gold Coast where they will fly a lucky family from interstate for an all-expenses paid Glitter Strip holiday. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the competition was borne partly from sympathy for southerners who have had to cancel multiple Gold Coast holidays over the past two years due to repeated lockdowns and border closures.

It is also hoped the campaign will create a new buzz around the Gold Coast as the city prepares for the reopening of Queensland borders and return of vaccinated interstate holiday-makers from December 13.

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“We hope the #PlayRescue competition gives a deserving family some much needed time to reconnect and have fun following more than 18 months of disruption,” said Ms O’Callaghan.

“It’s time to get back to the people and places we love.”

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O'Callaghan. Picture: supplied

The pandemic has cost the Gold Coast tourism industry more than $3 billion in the past 18 months and operators are anxious to hit the ground running once travel restrictions ease for vaccinated visitors ahead of the vital summer holidays.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate welcomed the #PlayRescue initiative.

“Every state and major city is fighting for market share so it’s important we showcase the Coast,” he said.

“We hold the ace in the pack as Australia’s favourite holiday destination and I’m confident the #PlayRescue message will remind Aussies why they simply have to visit us as they escape their Covid lockdown blues.”

Entrants will be asked to describe in 25 words or less why their family needs a #PlayRescue to the Gold Coast after nearly two years of travel restrictions.

To enter visit www.competition.destinationgoldcoast.com

Entries close on December 30 with the winners to be announced by January 14.

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Originally published as Extraordinary Gold Coast holiday up for grabs in tourism campaign