Surfers a tourist paradise
Revival in visitor hub in full swing
ACROSS Surfers Paradise, businesses are welcoming back lines of domestic and international tourists winding past the store doors.
For visitors like Chinese international student Faith Yu, 22 and her friends, the Gold Coast has become the number one vacation destination for its “beautiful beaches and peaceful atmosphere”.
“Lots of our friends have come here before and when they come back they always recommend for us to go,” Ms Yu said.
A hot spot destination among the international student community, Ms Yu’s friend Xuepiaoxiang Yang, 27 said compared to her home town in China, Surfers Paradise really was a heavenly place.
“It’s totally different from my hometown - where I live there is no beach.” Ms Yang said.
“So this is actually my first time seeing the ocean, it’s beautiful.”
Despite the already expensive nature of international student life, Ms Suhairong Gong, 22 said spending extra on the Gold Coast trip was worth it for a “relaxing” time.
“There’s so many things to do here,” she said.
“We booked a lesson and tried surfing today – it was so stimulating and our coach was very patient with us,” Ms Gong said.
Ms Yu added: “Even though we are studying in Sydney University, we were always planning on going on a vacation.”
According to the group of friends, what makes the Gold Coast the perfect destination spot was its consistently sunny weather and friendly locals.
“It’s good for us international tourists because everyone is so friendly and patient with us,” Zinuo Xu, 22 explained.
“And compared to other countries, like Canada or even Sydney the weather here is perfect.
“You can wear a T-shirt or dress comfortably, it doesn’t rain too much here – it’s perfect.”
But above all else, the vast variety of activities and events on offer made the Gold Coast “the most fun place to be” the group of friends agreed.
“Everyone is so friendly and patient with us,” ZINUO XU, 22