Gold Coast Airport (GCA) has this month launched its Ambassador Program, welcoming 30 ambassadors on board as part of a broader corporate objective to enhance customer service.

Ambassadors will offer a warm welcome and farewell to travellers passing through Gold Coast Airport, and provide assistance to visitors with general airport enquiries.

Volunteers Jeanette, Sonny and Valerie were rostered on for the first official shift, which took place last week.

“I started working at Gold Coast Airport in the Qantas club 15 years ago for a two week stint – that two week stint lasted 5 years! I love airports, they are such unique and dynamic places to work, and as an ambassador for Gold Coast Airport, I have the opportunity to learn something new every day, and meet wonderful people from all over the world,” said Jeanette.

Husband and wife duo, Sonny and Valerie, said the ambassadors would play an important role in providing a lasting impression of the Gold Coast.

“I think it is important to have ambassadors in the terminal, as the airport is the first impression point for people visiting the Gold Coast. People can get quite stressed at airports, so to be able to assist with directions and information can make a big difference to a person’s overall travel experience. I think we’ve made a good impact on the people we’ve helped so far!” said Sonny.

“Sonny and I have been together for 24 years now, so it’s wonderful to be able to share this experience with him. I like to help people and I love the Gold Coast, so what better way to celebrate this than to become a Gold Coast Airport ambassador. I would promote the Gold Coast to anybody, it’s just a magical place to live and visit!” said Valerie.

Gold Coast Airport Chief Operating Officer Marion Charlton said the Ambassador Program was a significant step forward in providing an exceptional level of customer service to all who pass through the airport.

“The ambassadors have formed an important part of our team here at GCA, and we are very grateful to have them on board. They will play a valuable role in providing a friendly service to our growing passenger base.”

“We welcomed in excess of 6 million passengers for FY16, an increase of 7.5% on the previous financial year. We are also one of the fastest growing airports in Australia, facilitating an average of 400 inbound services per week,” said Marion.

A number of the ambassadors are multi-lingual to cater for the growing number of international tourists visiting the region.

Ambassador Linda acknowledged the importance of being able to communicate with travellers from all over the globe.

“As the Gold Coast Airport grows, so too does the amount of non-English speaking travellers visiting the destination. It is important to be able to help these people and to guide them on their way. I speak Cantonese and Mandarin, and already, I have been of assistance to a number of Chinese travellers,” said Linda.

Following this initial intake, Gold Coast Airport will employ around 100 volunteers by April 2018, to allow for the increase in visitors for the Commonwealth Games.

Gold Coast Airport Ambassador rostered hours are as follows:

6.30am – 10.30am, 10.30am – 2.30pm and 2.30pm – 6.30pm daily