Last night at an informal meeting, hosted on board Quicksilver 8, former Port Douglas resident and now Chairman of Tourism Queensland Don Morris firmly laid blame on the Global Financial Crisis for the dismal tourism figures over the last year and thus resulting in the high unemployment that North Queensland is suffering from.

For the first time the Tourism Queensland (TQ) Board of Directors met with the Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Board and the Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) Board to discuss immediate plans to turn around decreasing numbers to the region.  This move by TQ to meet with both TTNQ and TPDD Boards in Port Douglas demonstrates a strong signal of the validity of TPDD's role in the overall region. (Ed note: All these acronyms sound like a new language don't they?).

Mr Morris assured Port Douglas Tourism Operators that Port Douglas was still a extremely strong Queensland destination and that they would not reduce any of their attention in helping the region recover, (Ed Comment) even though as reported in Newsport Monday April 19 it would appear the Gold Coast will be the star of the next promotional campaign.

He made comment about the resilience of the Tourism 'Family' and that small business bounces back far better and quicker than larger corporate structures.  Mr Morris made distinguishing references between the Mining industry and the Tourism Industry with only 23 Mining related companies in Queensland (of which there are only 5 real feeders) versus the 115,000 Tourism Companies. Tourism is Queensland's small business life line he said with over 23% of all small businesses registered being Tourism related.

Although the TQ delegate was 45mins late to their own meet and greet, local operators turned out in large numbers to hear their comments and gain an opportunity to meet with the Board.  

Mr Morris said a lot of attention has and will be spent in the New Zealand visitor market as North Queensland was only seeing approx 20,000 annual NZ visitors, with the Gold Coast securing over 200,000 NZ visitors each year.  The recent investment by Auckland Airport into the Cairns Airport of about 25%, Mr Morris said is expected to increase travel between the two airports.


Editors Comment: Is TQ treating TPDD as an equal of TTNQ or is it still a subsidiary now but with independent funding from the same source?  What should it be?