by Mat Churchill

Silky Oaks Lodge has taken another step forward in its efforts to secure more internet bookings by becoming a website partner of tourismportdouglas.com.au.

tourismportdouglas.com.au, the largest destination website for the region, confirmed Silky Oaks Lodge has been developing their internet business plan for some time and has culminated in the establishment of their new website.

And the results seem to speak for themselves with Silky Oaks Lodge Front Office Manager, Lynn Stollery saying direct bookings to the lodge had increased by 25% in just a few weeks since the launch of their new website.

Research undertaken in the local area by the Newsport showed online bookings now account for over half of all accommodation bookings, and operators are becoming more aware of the value on offer through the internet at a time where marketing budgets are being heavily scrutinised.

According to tourismportdouglas.com.au Managing Director, Sam Cullen, there are a number of factors businesses need to consider in the online environment.

"Ranking highly in search engines such as Google by optimising your website, traditional and Google advertising, having your website linked from other sites, and portal advertising are all effective ways of growing your business."

"Advertising with portals like tourismportdouglas.com.au is not only exposing your site to the thousands of users the site attracts but gives advertisers valuable 'link weight' from the high ranking domain" he said.

Silky Oaks Lodge, one of the areas best known accommodation providers, has an interesting history.

Moss and Teresa Hunt purchased two blocks previously used for cattle grazing in 1980, and lovingly began the task of regenerating the land and building their wilderness lodge in the rainforest.  Silky Oaks Colonial Lodge, as it was known, was opened on 5 April 1985 with just six chalets.

Silky Oaks grew in size and was sold by the Hunt’s with 35 chalets on site in 1993 to P&O.  P&O expanded the property and commenced a large amount of construction in 1994 including: pool, expansion of the main lodge building, the Jungle Perch, Treehouse Bar, Daintree Pavillion, Riverhouse chalets, outer Treehouse chalets, lilly pond, landscaping in the garden, revegetation of hill slopes and the Healing Waters Spa.

In 2004 the property was acquired by Voyages, who removed 10 chalets from the site in order to improve the environmental responsibility and enhance the guest experience.

Nowadays the five star lodge is privately owned and can cater for 103 guests and employs around 70 staff. They have also achieved Advanced Ecotourism accreditation with the Australian Ecotourism Association.