The Gold Coast's peak tourism body says the emergence of the new Omicron COVID variant in Australia has left the industry on edge ahead of what it hopes will be a busy Christmas period.

Destination Gold Coast chief executive Patricia O'Callaghan said operators had their fingers crossed for a "business as usual" holiday season.

"The Christmas/New Year period is critical for our industry," she said.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate was concerned the border reopening might be delayed, but said he was hoping for a "scientific" outcome from National Cabinet.

The city has been subject to strict border rules, which are set to ease on December 17, or whenever the state reaches an 80 per cent double dose vaccination rate.

"All the messaging we're hearing from the Prime Minister and Queensland government is that it's a cautious approach from our governments," Ms O'Callaghan said.

"At the same time, there have been no changes from a Queensland perspective and we welcome that news.

Earlier today, Deputy Premier Steven Miles said "nothing has changed at this stage" regarding the plan to ease border restrictions next month.

Yesterday Queensland Health said officials were monitoring the situation closely and that Queensland remained on track to reopen once the vaccination target was reached.

Mayor calls for clarity 

Cr Tate said he was hoping for a "clear and factual" response from National Cabinet to the possible Omicron threat.

"Whatever decision is made should be made based on a scientific decision, not [an] over-cautious decision [that will] hurt the livelihoods of people in Coolangatta," he said.

"My view is still the same — COVID will be with us and we are going to have to learn to live with it.

No 'mass cancellations'

The Gold Coast tourism industry has been one of the hardest hit by the COVID pandemic, suffering a billon-dollar blow in the last quarter to September.

Ms O'Callaghan said bookings were sitting at 70 per cent and she expected the number to increase by the day.

Cr Tate said he was not concerned about cancelled trips to the Gold Coast.

"I think the underlying passion to come back and get back to normal life [remains], especially coming to the Gold Coast where it is [safer from COVID] than in Sydney and Melbourne," he said.

"I think you will see a great move of [travellers] coming to the Gold Coast."

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