SAILAWAY owner Steve Edmondson believes more consideration is needed on ‘geographic relevance’ in relation to extreme weather warnings for Queensland.

As the Whitsundays coast is hammered by Tropical Cyclone Debbie, Port Douglas is enjoying picture postcard conditions despite the majority of water and reef based operators cancelling tours due to severe weather warnings, including local reef giants Quicksilver and Calypso.

The Mossman Gorge also cancelled tours last night based on the advise issued by the Bureau of Meteorology in the lead up to the cyclone, which is making landfall between Bowen and Airlie Beach.

Sailaway and Wavelength are the only boats taking bookings today, with Edmondson believing a greater need for accuracy is needed when it comes to extreme weather events on local areas.

“It’s about geographic relevance,” Steve said.

“We certainly sympathise with those caught up in the cyclone down south, but the reality is we haven’t got a weather event and it’s a beautiful day in Port Douglas.

“There can be a huge economic impact of unrealistic forecasting i.e 'North Queensland' and I believe it needs to be kept in perspective. There is a knock on effect and a stigma that we’re all affected.”

People are being told to bunker down between Airlie Beach and Bowen with wind gusts of up to 270km/h expected. Conversely, Port Douglas is enjoying a magnificent day despite several wind warnings from BOM in the lead up.

"We understand that cyclones can go anywhere but we need to be realistic with our forecasting,” Steve said.

“The build up to these events can be over the top and sensational and unfortunately we get linked to it.

“We need to maintain confidence in our destination to avoid unfair and avoidable economic and employment impacts by sensational forecasting.

"As everyone can see it’s a beautiful, calm, sunny day here.”

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