Today we talk with a man who can speak from experience when it comes to business, especially in the retail sector. Doug Calvert is a well-recognised member of the Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce and gave of his time to give you his thoughts on business in Port Douglas.

The Newsport: What's you position on the Chamber?
Doug Calvert: I'm the Business and community service chairman.

TN: How long have you been a Chamber committee member?
DC: Two years.

TN: What sub-committee do you sit on?
DC: In addition to the business and community service I will be involved with infrastructure sub committee and also the communication sub committee.

TN: What is your specific focus as a member of the Chamber committee?
DC: My focus is to support the chamber in achieving our vision to make Port Douglas the best tourist town in Australia

TN: How long have you lived in Port Douglas?
DC: Six glorious years having moved from stressful Melbourne after discovering Port Douglas on our first holiday here eight years ago whilst celebrating my wife’s (Wendy) birthday. After our first swim on Four Mile Beach we decided to sell our business in Melbourne and relocate to Port Douglas.

TN: Are you a still a business owner?
DC: Yes. We now have four retail shops including Something Tropical, Something Tropical for kids, Bamboo Shack and Port Douglas T shirt company.

TN: What's your previous business experience?
DC: I spent 21 years with Mobil/Exxon initially as a chemical engineer with a variety of roles until I departed as an industrial market strategist. Wendy and I then started our first business which was a printing business which we had for seven years until we sold to allow us to move to Port Douglas.

TN: What's the biggest change in business you’ve seen while in Port Douglas?
DC: When we took over something tropical early April 2006 Port Douglas was a buzz with tourists. We had three good years until the global financial crisis took hold and each year we progressively noticed a drop in sales. Whilst the tourist numbers were dropping, particularly the internationals, the amount being spent was also dropping.

We now spend most of our time managing our cash flow. Maintaining minimum stock levels and reducing our costs and expenses wherever possible including negotiating better pricing which will place us in a stronger position once the tourist numbers start increasing.

TN: What are some of the biggest challenges ahead?
DC: The biggest challenge for businesses in addition to managing cash flow is to remain positive in these difficult times so that we can achieve our vision of making Port Douglas the best touristdestination in Australia.
 
TN: What are some of the biggest opportunities for business in the future?
DC: All businesses have the opportunity to become involved in the community by joining organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree. We all need to be working together to restore this beautiful town to the vibrant destination we all know it can be.

It's very easy to say others should be doing something however it's important that we all start by saying what can I do for the town. Offering a friendly smiling face to every person, tourist, customer we meet would be a great start.

I believe that every staff person in every business should be trained to be an ambassador for the town offering a broad range of information, including referring visitors to other shops and businesses. We really need to pull together to make this town very friendly and the best tourist experience on the planet.

TN: What is Port Douglas best keep secret?
DC: I have 3 which I just love.
1. Having breakfast on Four Mile Beach with my soulmate watching the sun come up. Although usually the sun is well and truly up once Wendy gets out of bed!!
2. Cycling up to Julatten with my buddies early in the morning through the rainforest and smelling the fresh air.
3. Dinner at Thala Beach Lodge during the wet season overlooking the rainforest and reef while it's pouring down.