Broadbeach buzz

BROADBEACH hospitality businesses are looking forward to an extra sweet summer holiday as the countdown begins for a December 17 reopening to double-jabbed travellers.

Broadbeach’s The Gelato Shop owner Stefanie Spittle can’t wait to share the Gold Coast’s love affair with ice cream with the rest of Australia after months of border closures.

“With ice cream being everyone’s favourite comfort food, we actually have been quite lucky over the past 18 months,” Mrs Spittle said.

“But of course, this reopening is going to be very beneficial to all businesses.”

Nearby Max Seafood Restaurant owner Vincent Davies welcomed the reassurance for businesses, but said the double-jab requirements would be difficult for venues to police.

“I’m finding it difficult to get my head around how it’s going to work and how us as businesses are going to be able to implement that,” he said.

Broadbeach real estate figure and restaurateur Eddy Sarroff said the reopening date would reinvigorate business confidence.

“When we sit here all day and see the slow trickle of people walking past – you have to say this is a welcome move,” Mr Sarroff said.

“I think businesses will be saying ‘just open the borders’ … let’s not get into a debate with the government about whether it’s the right date or whether it should be a few days before.”

Virgin Australia experienced a boom in website traffic and booking demand following the Queensland government’s reopening announcement. The airline’s website traffic doubled on Monday.

Some of the most popular flights booked were Melbourne to Gold Coast and Gold Coast to Melbourne.