A global tourism campaign aims to include the people power of Cairns Region to issue a worldwide invitation to visit Australia.  Tourism Australia’s 'There’s nothing like Australia' campaign offers Australians nationwide the opportunity to tell the world what’s unique and special about this country.

From 15 April to 12 May, residents are encouraged to upload photographs and stories of their favourite destinations and places to the campaign website.

Mayor Val Schier said she would be entering the competition with photos of her favourite beauty spots and encouraged the entire community to join in the spirit of the campaign to promote the far north.   “This presents the ideal opportunity to rally everyone we know to promote the Cairns region to the world as an amazing holiday destination,” Cr Schier said.   “Tourism Australia will choose a number of the best entries and use them in online and print advertising globally. If the community uploads entries that highlight the wonderful natural environment of reef and rainforest, the region will be showcased to millions around the world.”
 

Tourism Australia Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said this campaign tapped into research that showed 96 percent of Australians believe they know the secret to a great Australian holiday, and eight in ten would like to help promote their country to the world.

 
Entries will be used to create a new interactive map of Australia that will be searchable by experience type, location and by 1,000 keywords. That map will be housed at www.australia.com, a site that attracts more than a million visitors each month.

A winning entrant will be chosen from every state and territory, each receiving an Australian holiday valued at $5,000.  An overall winner will be selected to win the ultimate Australian holiday valued at $25,000. Upload entries at  www.nothinglikeaustralia.com

Editors Comments: If Port Douglas and its surrounding region was to really get to grips with this campaign, the rest of Australia wouldn't need to submit any photos 'cos the rest of the world would come here just on the strength of our submissions. 

And before anyone thinks I'm kidding just think about what we have, two World Heritage areas, the Great Barrier Reef covering over 348,000 square kilometres with over 1,500 species of fish including Nemo and his friends, and the Daintree River and Rainforest with 14 species of birds found nowhere else in the world, Four Mile Beach, Flagstaff Hill, Low isles with it's heritage listed lighthouse, Mossman Gorge, two 130 year old heritage pubs, over 60 tropical lifestyle restaurants, big game fishing including some of the best Marlin fishing in the world, some of the best winds in the world for Kitesurfing, shall I carry on or do you get the point? 

Come on Douglas, get your cameras and your photo albums out, Australia needs your help!