The imminent launch of TTNQ's tour booking application has raised the ire of some The Newsport readers who are concerned that the tourism body may have acted inappropriately by going head to head with local business, iTours.

But Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer, Doug Ryan, played down the issue.

"Anything that promotes the region is a plus for us so you've got to look at it that way.

"The politics behind it, I'm not prepared to commit on because I don't know the full story.

"I've certainly been involved in both of them, getting briefed on them and what's happening with them."

Mr Ryan said that he'd mentioned iTours to TTNQ in a meeting two or three months ago, but TTNQ's Marcus Brady who is heavily involved in their tripwolf application development and launch told The Newsport last Friday that he was unaware of its existence. 

This response prompted some readers of the article 'TTNQ to launch rival tour app' (Monday 17 October 2011) to have their say.

"SO, you will in effect use tax payers money as you are funded by the State Govt to complete against private enterprise, with whom you have been in discussions. Is that in your charter of how you will do business and support the local industry?" said one.

"Mr Brady should perhaps commmunicate (sic) with his boss/bosses, because I beleive (sic) somebody in TTNQ is very aware of iTOURS," said another.

Mr Ryan believes that TPDD will be able to promote both the iTours product and TTNQ's tripwolf product.

"We have to be very balanced. We have to talk about both products because we work closely with TTNQ and we are part of that region so we will obviously be supporting both of them, not one more than the other at this stage."

Mr Ryan said tourism bodies should investigate all options within the marketplace and choose the product that best fits the need.

iTours' Adam Burckhardt said he was surprised to learn of the tripwolf development, and is planning to meet with the TTNQ board on 3 November.

The Newsport attempted to contact TTNQ CEO Rob Giason, however he was unavailable for comment.

Article image by travelllll.com.

Related articles
TTNQ to launch rival tour app
iTours launched in Port 

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