The Gold Coast is proving it is far more than sun, surf, and theme parks to the 60-plus event planners attending This is Gold Coast 2026 (TIGC26) this week.
Hosting its 12th annual signature business events showcase, Experience Gold Coast is using the four-day familiarisation to demonstrate how the destination has matured into a high-end option for corporate incentives and sustainable conferences.
Stuart Katzen, owner of Sydney-based DMC Department, told TTGmice: “I haven’t been to the Gold Coast in many years, but I’ve seen interest from corporate clients, with four RFPs for the destination in the last two months alone. I am eager to see what’s new and discover bespoke experiences on the Gold Coast that I could include in my itineraries.”
Similarly, Esther Loo, sales director from Malaysia-based ATA World Travel, has also not been to the Gold Coast in over a decade.
Loo shared: “I wanted to see how much the destination has grown. There’s genuine interest from our clients, even though group visas remain a hurdle for insurance incentives from Malaysia in terms of application costs and individual paperwork.”
“Corporate clients are far more demanding now; they want unique scenery and unexpected experiences – things like wildlife sanctuaries, which the Gold Coast can provide. Meeting local suppliers face-to-face at TIGC gives me the exact inspiration I need to pitch the Gold Coast as a modern, premium incentive destination,” she added.
Shana Rafter, conference manager with ICMS based in Melbourne, has also not been to the Gold Coast since her teenage years and noted that the region has transformed significantly.
“My clients – who usually hail from major cities around Australia – are looking for immersive, sustainable experiences that take them away from the crowds. This is something the Gold Coast can offer that is genuinely different,” Rafter said.
Meanwhile, Amaresh Tiwari, managing director of India-based Meetings & Incentives World, stated: “The perception of the Gold Coast in India is changing rapidly – it is evolving into a much more popular, high-value destination. Flight connectivity through hubs like Singapore has made access seamless for Indian groups, whether as a standalone stay or combined with Sydney.”
Tiwari’s 25-year-old firm based in New Delhi serves corporate automotive, banking, and finance groups of around 60 to 80 delegates.
“With visa hurdles in Europe and security concerns in parts of the Middle East, Australia stands out as a safe, world-class destination. The Gold Coast offers the fresh, quality alternative our clients are actively looking for,” he added.
