Reality series delivers timely boost
SOME of the Glitter Strip’s most picturesque locations will be shown off to an audience of more than 16 million next week when the Gold Coast is seen on one of the world’s most popular reality TV shows.
The US version of The Bachelor will heavily feature the Coast in an episode set to air next week, which tourism leaders have welcomed, anticipating its value to the local economy will be more than $43 million.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Annaliese Battista said the publicity could not have come at a better time given the devastating impact of coronavirus on the city’s tourism industry.
“We are delighted the Gold Coast will be showcased on The Bachelor US,” she said.
“The publicity leveraged from the episode will increase awareness of the Gold Coast as a must-visit destination for high-spending American travellers considering Australia for their next holiday.
“Viewers are sophisticated and love to travel, which opens up the Gold Coast to a new market of would-be US travellers, who will now have the Coast on their travel radar.”
The Gold Coast appears on a preliminary finale episode of the reality series, which its star “Pilot” Peter Weber visits the city with the women trying to woo him.
Images of the Coast were shown yesterday when the most recent episode aired in the US. Weber is a 28-year-old commercial pilot based in California who is searching for love and meeting women hoping to find the one.
In the Gold Coast episode he will be down to three remaining contestants.
The episode will air in the US on the ABC network on February 24 and will screen in other overseas markets later.
It has not yet been picked up for broadcast in Australia.
The Bulletin understands major locations including the famous beaches and Hinterland feature prominently as well as Sanctuary Cove where several scenes were shot.
“To make the most of the opportunity to showcase the Gold Coast to millions of prime-time viewers, Destination Gold Coast crafted romance inspired itineraries and social media placements that play into the love affair,” Ms Battista said.
The Gold Coast welcomed 65,000 US visitors in the year ending September 2019 who spent an average of 12.5 nights on the Gold Coast.