Gold Coast Airport is bracing for one of its busiest days of the year as thousands of people flock to the city.
More than 130 flights are scheduled to arrive and depart from Coolangatta today as the Christmas travel rush ramps up.
The vast majority of the flights are to and from Sydney and Melbourne.
More than 20,000 passengers are expected through the terminal today with similar numbers on Saturday and Sunday.
The holiday influx follows a bumper 12 months for the city’s tourism sector with 12.4 million domestic visitors pumping $7.1 billion into the local economy.
Tourism bosses are expecting a big summer holiday period with predictions of another $1.3 billion injection from tourists over December and January.
Hotel occupancy is sitting around 80 per cent for the holidays.
Experience Gold Coast Executive Director for Tourism Rachel Hancock says they’re confident summer will provide a springboard to a huge 2024 for the industry.
“Our city is buzzing with a lineup of not-to-be-missed events including the Sneakers Unboxed exhibition at HOTA Gallery, Magic Millions Carnival, and National Futsal Championships before the prestigious AACTA Awards are held here for the first time ever,” Ms Hancock said.
“As we lean into a new year post our peak holiday season, we are buoyed with confidence that 2024 will continue to see Gold Coast’s visitor economy strengthen on all fronts.”
