Gold Coast Tourism Corporation promotes Australia’s tourism
A promotion by Australia’s Gold Coast Tourism Corporation was organized at the ambassador’s residence in Adailiya yesterday. Warren Hauck, Australia’s Ambassador to Kuwait, thanked Kuwait for its continued patronage of the Australian tourism industry, noting that Kuwaitis visit not only Australia’s biggest cities, but the entire continent in general. He urged all Kuwaitis to consider Australia for their next vacation. “We are trying to focus in on Australia’s Gold Coast, but bear in mind that the whole Australian continent is an equally stunning and beautiful place to visit,” he said. “You can find more of Australia’s details in recent supplement with Kuwait Times, (Jan 27, 2017 issue). We are a country of great weather and great people.”
Hauck lauded the recent tourist influx from Kuwait, with around 4,000 visiting in 2016 alone. “We have direct flights to Australia from Kuwait, and so many flights per week to other GCC countries. There are many gateways to get down to Australia,” he said. “More and more tourists are coming to Australia and I am really grateful to Middle Eastern people for [that].”
According to Hauck, the visa process is straightforward, with anyone wanting to visit Australia able to acquire one online within 48 hours. “For non-GCC people, they can apply via VFS and usually the visa will be ready within one-month period. The summer in Kuwait was really scorching, so we want you to experience our winter in Australia where the temperature is only 20-28,” he added.
Lidia Hume, Manager International Marketing Officer at Gold Coast Tourism Corporation, championed the Gold Coast as a potential tourist destination at the event, which was mainly attended by people from travel agencies and other invited guests. She enticed people to visit the subtropical Gold Coast and experience a place they have never visited before. “In 2016 we had 12 million visitors from all over the world,” she said. The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most important tourist destinations. Its surf beaches, high-rise dominated skyline, theme parks, parks, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland make tourism one of its most significant industries. The city will also play host to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.