Tourism operators in Far North Queensland are ramping up marketing to national and international travel agencies and tour companies after news the Captain Cook Highway will reopen later next week.
Better known in the industry as “Great Barrier Reef Drive”, the Captain Cook Highway provides critical road access to destination gems like Port Douglas, the Daintree and Cape Tribulation.
Tourism Port Douglas Daintree CEO, Glen Hingley said today’s announcement was a gamechanger for Queensland’s jewel in the tourism crown.
“Some of Australia’s biggest travel companies kickstart their marketing campaigns next week so this is perfect timing for us,” Mr Hingley said.
“We’ve already seen major airlines offering discount fares to Cairns Airport and we expect other major airlines will follow suit and include Port Douglas in their flight deals very soon.”
Tourism makes up more than 80 percent of the Douglas Shire economy, injecting more than $611 million dollars every year and creating around 2600 jobs. Nearly every business in the region relies on the visitor dollar.
Douglas Shire Mayor, Michael Kerr, welcomed an announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Premier, Steven Miles in Cairns today pledging $24.25 million towards a Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program.
“These grants will be available to operators who’ve been cut-off or heavily affected by extreme weather and will assist in rebuilding businesses, keeping staff employed and installing stronger and more resilient infrastructure,” Mayor Kerr said.
“Our key focus now is getting businesses north of the Daintree River and south of Cape Tribulation back on their feet as soon as possible.”
“There’s a long road to recovery ahead and we’ll continue to lobby both State and Federal Governments and agencies to receive the help required to rebuild our homes and region” Mayor Kerr said.
Today’s announcement will also fund a tourism and events marketing campaign to attract more visitors to the region.
