THE tourism ambassadors for Port Douglas and Daintree have been chosen and include a popular “Gal with a Green Thumb” known as The Sunflower Lady; eco-tourism operators and a schoolboy.

The Show Me Your Paradise ambassadors are “green thumb” Ange Constable; “nature kid” Jack Jenkins; “jungle explorer” Dan Lamond; “sea captain” Jon Burnett and “Daintree Dave” David White.

The winners were among more than a dozen nominations received by Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree (TPDD) in response to its quest for passionate ambassadors to showcase the region, sharing their story and why home “is their paradise”.

Film footage of each of the winners telling their story, along with a personalised poem written for the promotion, will be used in global marketing for the region.

TPDD executive officer Tara Bennett said the Show Me Your Paradise campaign for 2017 had shifted its direction to highlight life in the Tropical North from a local’s perspective and the unique characteristics that make the Douglas region so special.

“If you want to know what makes a place special, ask a local,” Ms Bennett said. “Personal encounters resonate far better with audiences than any form of traditional sales-based marketing.

“I am overwhelmed, but not surprised, by the passion and the love these entrants express for our region.

“We are hoping that by sharing the stories of locals, who love what they do and where they live, others will be inspired to visit us and experience some of these things for themselves.”

Mr White, owner operator of Solar Whisper Daintree River Wildlife Cruises, has been involved in ecotourism for more than two decades as a reef, river and land-based tour guide. He shares his passion with thousands of tourists from all over the world every year.

“It’s a bit of fun but I think it’s great – I am honoured to be chosen as an ambassador and show other people the region. I’m looking forward to seeing the video,” he said.

“If ever there is a place to be immersed in nature, it’s here in the Daintree rainforest.”

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