David Gardiner

Journalist

HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM STAFF SUPPORT

I enjoyed writing about the ringing support shown to Douglas tourism and hospitality workers by the public, after business owner Dan Peterson called out rude and negative posts against staff by some on social media.

Mr Peterson’s post showed us in 2022, after the pressures of staff shortages brought by two years of COVID, that humans respond better to positives than they do to negatives.

“Appreciation post here for all the Cafe and Restaurant owners in fact all business(es) doing an incredible job to keep this town operating,” Mr Peterson posted, adding that he had witnessed unwelcome arguments and abusive behaviour towards staff in recent days.

“Staff shortages, a housing crisis and tired staff who turn up day after day to keep businesses open. We appreciate what you are doing,” he also said. 

I liked how lots of people agreed with him and they weren’t having a bar of it:

“Very well said. We love our holidays up in Port Douglas and always feel welcome up there. We tell all our friends to head up there as it's a great place for a holiday. Well done to all the workers & locals. They make it very easy to come back.”

“Well said! Port Douglas is so lucky to have such amazing cafes and service industry. Everyone is doing the best they can. Port Douglas is absolute paradise.”

From a hospitality worker: “Thank you so much for your kind words, our town has lost so much housing, therefore no room for staff and everyone is working so hard, extra shifts etc to provide service for all the tourists coming in. So thank you.”

“Well said mate. From our perspective (now locals) we don’t just appreciate what they do we also love going out to shop, eat and drink here. They do a fantastic job despite the challenges. Rude ignorant people are about unfortunately but that’s a direct reflection of themselves. Thank you to ALL biz owners & staff.”

I have also been a hospitality worker – as a chef and manager, and this story touched my heart.

When I filed the story, I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that for anyone who did experience negative encounters with customers in their workplace or see nasty social media posts – they could now be assured that there was great community support and appreciation for them and their commendable efforts to keep the Douglas region’s hospitality and tourism industries alive.

LOVE THE NIGHTLIFE, OR NOT?

It was interesting to hear the differing views earlier this year about the need or not for a nightclub or similar establishment to go beyond the midnight hour in Port Douglas.

Here on Newsport we started a nightlife (or the lack thereof) discussion after local senior police warned about the laws against drinking alcohol in public.

There had been some incidences of beach-partying into the wee hours in Port Douglas, much to the annoyance of local residents.

I was young once and in fact probably spent too many hours in nightclubs (including as a DJ) in Fiji where I grew up, so had had some connection with the subject matter.

The socials lit up with comments like “Bring back the nightlife!” while others reminisced about how good it was when there were nightclubs in town, and suggested that Douglas still really needs at least one.
Hospitality staff also came forward saying they’d like somewhere to go after work to wind down and let their hair down.

But others argued the demographics had changed in the popular seaside resort town over recent decades – and that Douglas now saw itself more as a family-oriented destination, rather than a party town, hence the nightclub idea was most probably dated.

I’m sure it’s a debate that won’t just disappear into the darkness, and we’ll probably find ourselves talking about nightclubs and nightlife again in coming weeks and months.