A joint board meeting between the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree was held recently to discuss how they could work together for the betterment of tourism and local business.
 

"To put it simply, TPDD’s primary focus is to get visitors to the area, while the Chamber works to ensure their experience, once here, exceeds their expectations." President of the Chamber of Commerce, Ken Dobbs said.

One of the main projects discussed at the meeting was the proposed lagoon pool as part of the waterfront redevelopment.  

"We want to see this project given a high priority in the Waterfront Redevelopment, and hopefully it's a project (of importance) that will be recognised as such by the incoming Federal Government."  

The Chamber had previously identified that businesses needed more information about tourism marketing, especially current and future market activities, and how it could enhance opportunities for future growth of their businesses.

"We agreed we need to provide information on TPDD's marketing strategy and achievements to all businesses in the region so that they can understand what is being done to ensure we grow future business," Mr Dobbs said.

"It was agreed we had to concentrate on outcomes which are best for the whole business community rather than what is best for specific businesses.

"If we achieve success in attracting more visitors and having them return then it will follow that individual businesses  will share in the benefits leading to an economically sustainable lifestyle for our community members," he said.
 

TPDD and the Chamber will now form a joint committee to determine how all businesses can be informed of the marketing being undertaken and the destination management issues being addressed.

For further information contact  Wendy Morris at TPDD on 0418 717 280  or Ken Dobbs from Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce on 0447 624 348.

Editors Comments :  It’s great to see both these established organisations finally getting together after nearly 5 years of operations.  We look forward to seeing more open communication from them to both the business and resident community on what each organisation is pushing forward on and generating to support each other and the destination.