Marina sale opens up a world of opportunities for Port Douglas
MARINA DEVELOPMENT
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- Crystalbrook Collection buys Port Douglas marina
THE sale of the Port Douglas marina to billionaire investor Ghassan Aboud has opened up a world of opportunities for the town, according to the top level of Queensland Government.
Treasurer Curtis Pitt and tourism minister Kate Jones said Crystalbrook Collection’s purchase of The Reef Marina demonstrated the confidence in the tourism industry in the Port Douglas and Far North region.
And with direct flights to Cairns now offered by two airlines in China, the tourist town is poised to capatilise on the state’s fastest growing international market.
Aboud’s tourism and hospitality group announced yesterday they’d be investing over $100 million into the Port Douglas waterfront, with plans to tap into the high-end traveller and booming superyacht markets.
“It is great news for the Port Douglas community, creating jobs and boosting the local economy,” Pitt said.
“It is also timely, considering the development of the (state) Government’s new superyacht strategy which I announced in August.”
Pitt was referring to new legislation aimed at attracting more foreign superyachts by offering a tax break; news that was welcomed by The Reef Marina.
Crystalbrook's Port Douglas expansion will push the marina’s capacity to 156 berths, and include 24 extra berths for superyachts up to 50 metres.
A luxury five star hotel, 50 premium residences and retail complex will also be built.
“We are capitalising on a different offering which complements our other investments of more than $370 million in Far North Queensland, with three hotels in Cairns currently under construction,” Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie said.
Tourism minister Jones said the recent announcements of new direct routes to Cairns by Hainan Airlines and China Southern Airlines would provide more opportunities to grow the economy and jobs ‘in support of our tourism businesses.’
“Importantly it also makes Queensland a more attractive destination for investors such as Crystalbrook Collection and we will continue to work with industry to create the best tourism experiences in the world,” she said.
Federal member for Leichhardt, Warren Entsch, said without investments like Aboud's 'gems like Port Douglas would struggle to attract international attention.'
“I welcome this investment in our region, and am confident it will propel Port Douglas’ reputation as a must-visit destination for the world’s wealthiest travellers beyond what we have previously experienced,” he said.
“I am very pleased to see Mr Aboud investing at such a high level in our region as it will create a real boost to local economy. This is an exciting development, and I’m confident it will re-energise Far North Queensland in its entirety as the flow on effects of this redevelopment and investment extends to other areas through more jobs, visitors and service requirements."
The development is set to generate more than 600 jobs in Port Douglas during construction, and around 240 permanent jobs post completion.
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