Local tourism businesses made the journey to Perth recently to showcase their products and our region at the 2012 Australian Tourism Exchange.

The event is the largest tourism trade show of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, and provides a forum for Australian tourism businesses establish business links with the people and organisations that take Australian tourism to the international market place.

Tour operators and accommodation providers from our region, along with Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree representatives, spent four days meeting with wholesalers and travel agents reinforcing the message that our part of the world is a premium holiday destination.

"ATE had a great vibe this year with most buyers very interested in Port Douglas and keen to get their clients to book in our region," said Tropical Journeys' Eleanor Jones.

"There is a lot of hype about the Eastern markets, especially China and even though this is fantastic for Cairns, we need to ensure the Western markets that love Port Douglas are still being looked after."

The commitment made by these local businesses was in the order of $100,000.

“By showing their support and reinforcing the depth of things to do and the high calibre of accommodation available, it further strengthened our positioned as a destination,” said TPDD's executive officer, Doug Ryan.

He said feedback from the wholesalers on the appointments was positive and added he detected renewed interest in the destination.

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“We emphasised the new investment in the region including the opening of the Mossman Gorge Centre, QT Resort, soft refurbishments of several accommodation suppliers, new products and our indigenous experiences,” Mr Ryan said.

Local tour operators that attended ATE included Flames of the Forest, Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures, Jungle Surfing Canopy Tours, Poseidon Sailaway, Quicksilver Connections, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway and Tropical Journeys.

Accommodation providers included Verandahs Boutique Apartments Port Douglas, Meridian & Cayman Villas Port Douglas, Port Douglas Peninsula Boutique Hotel, Shantara Resort Port Douglas, Silky Oaks Lodge, Thala Beach Lodge and Villa San Michele.