Michael Warren

Journalist

Just a day after the successful staging of the inaugural Port Douglas Gran Fondo Festival Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr has reiterated the importance of the adventure tourism market to the local region.

“The Adventure tourism market and events like the Gran Fondo Festival have many long term benefits,” Mr Kerr explained.

“Major events like this bring so many new people to our region and the economic benefits from this are endless.

“Our environment here in Port Douglas and the Daintree is perfect for hiking, riding and doing outdoor activities.

“If you look at something like the Wangetti Trail – when that is actually completed it will be tremendous for our Shire.

“More broadly if you study or look at Tasmania – they went through a process and marketed themselves heavily in this space and they’re now reaping the benefits of that and New Zealand have done the same.

“We have the opportunity to do a similar thing here.”

Overall, the festival has been deemed a massive success.

"We were thrilled to see so many people out enjoying the event on Sunday and for that matter right across the weekend," delighted event spokesperson Bade Stapleton said.

"The criterium also went really well as did the family ride, the Hemingway's track side bar proved the place to be over the weekend, while the weather was absolutely picture perfect.

"It was just magical to see all of those cyclists smiling as they crossed the line. Participants were blown away. Another highlight was the party type atmosphere that greeted riders as they passed by Rex lookout.

"We also got reports of families cheering on riders from their driveways along the bike route which was also great to hear.

"It's so pleasing the Port Douglas community has embraced the event."