AMAZING RACE PUTS TOURISM WORKERS BACK IN TOUCH

A NEW 'amazing race' style workshop designed for Gold Coast Tourism professionals has proven an important point prior to the Commonwealth Games: being a tourist in your own city is good for business.

City of Gold Coast partnered up with Gold Coast Tourism to launch the Discover Gold Coast Challenge, a program designed for business leaders in the industry to get a refreshed taste for the local offering.

The challenge ran over a series of single days, with teams briefed in the morning on their chosen day and given a set of missions to complete within a 4-hour time frame.

While using practical means of public transport, teams discovered places, stories and information at various points throughout the city.

At the end of the day teams returned to a designated 'home base' to present their discoveries, and were encouraged to document these through social media.

Gold Coast Tourism CEO Martin Winter says the Discover Gold Coast events allowed participants to learn practical information through a first-hand experience of new or little known locations.

"Challenge itineraries are focused on specific regions with a mix of new, well known, and sometimes hidden attractions providing a taste of what's on offer and a chance to meet the people behind it all," says Winter.

"The aim is for tourism operators to become great destination hosts."

Gold Coast Airport traders, Pacific Fair and Surfside Buslines are among the companies which have already been involved so far, with all participants encouraged to view the Coast through the eyes of a first-time visitor.

Sarah Swaby of Breakfree Acapulco, a participant, says the experience was a good way to keep a finger on the industry pulse.

"It's an amazing opportunity for those who want to keep up to date with the Gold Coast's new offerings and get well acquainted with the fantastic places that are right on our doorstep," says Swaby.

The next rounds of the Discover Gold Coast Challenge are planned for April and May next year.