Tourism award buoys Gondolas
A BUSINESS that is bringing a touch of Venice to Gold Coast canals has sailed away with a major award.
Gold Coast Gondolas, which has been a common sight on Gold Coast waterways since April, 2000, has been named the winner of the Tourism, Hospitality and Events category of the Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards for October.
Now owned by Michael and Taryn Sims, the business provides customers with private, luxury cruises and dining experiences for up to six people.
Mr Sims, who has owned retail businesses on the Coast for more than 10 years, said he and wife Taryn bought the business in July from her parents.
“I had been looking for a new business to buy and when the in-laws said they were thinking of selling, we were immediately interested,’’ he said.
“It’s a great little lifestyle business and we saw there was scope for further growth.”
Mr Sims said since taking over the business, the couple had raised its social media presence and increased customers by 200 per cent. Their fleet of gondolas has grown from one to four and they are looking for more captains.
In the other categories, Ezi Office Supplies claimed Retail, Wholesale and Distribution; Pivotel Satellite soared away with the Mayor’s Innovation GC Award; HTG Solutions won the Student Employability Award; Synergy Resource Management secured Professions and Business Services; Master Floors Group polished off Family Business and Balense Skin cleaned up in Health and Wellbeing.