Australia and New Zealand’s largest experience network, Big Red Group, has supported the GC Summer FUNds campaign to inject $7.2m into Gold Coast’s experience economy.
Utilising its tech platform and well-known catalogue of Experience Oz experiences, Big Red Group 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 last Monday (15 January), the GC 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 by 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.
Big Red Group Co-Founder and CEO David Anderson said Big Red Group, through its Gold Coast based Experience Oz brand, was delighted to partner as a website and fulfilment partner for this incredible campaign. 
“Responding to the request for support, I’m very proud of the local team who set up the technology within a few days. 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,” said Mr Anderson.
“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.”
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate thanked locals and South East Queenslanders for getting behind GC Summer FUNds and doing their part to help support the tourism industry.
“With 100% fun and $50 off on offer across a range of experiences, South East Queenslanders spared no time to take advantage of GC Summer FUNds which is not only about getting out to enjoy the fantastic tourism destination that we have but also help to boost the local economy,” Cr Tate said.
“Theme parks, cruises, water-based activities, and winery tours were among the most popular categories but importantly experience operators across the board will now be fulfilling bookings at a time they need it most.”
Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn said there was an exceptionally strong response to GC Summer FUNds which is testament to operators rallying behind the initiative.
“GC Summer FUNds has delivered on its potential to immediately inject business into the pockets of our experience operators, and we know that even more will be spent here on the Gold Coast because of this program,” Mr Warn said.
“The Gold Coast is open for business and on the horizon is the prestigious AACTA Festival and Awards, Gold Coast Open, P!NK’s Summer Carnival as well as the Lunar New Year with inbound capacity from our pre-pandemic top international market bolstered to daily services by China Southern and China Eastern Airlines.”
Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Patricia O’Callaghan is thrilled that the campaign has had such a positive impact.
“The God 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,” she 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.”
