FNQ on radar of Italian buyers
Airport appoints new retail chief officer
AN ITALIAN real estate mogul will spruik the charms of life in the tropics to European buyers after a visit to the Far North.
RE/MAX Italy co-founder Dario Castiglia said the northern beaches and relaxed atmosphere made Cairns a “great place to sell”.
“In Europe when you tell people about Cairns, it is a little dot on the map. You don’t realise what you got here,” the Milan-based realtor said.
“Cairns is way out here and nobody really knows, but I swear to God, I am talking about this place.”
Mr Castiglia, who manages more than 2600 staff, is a guest speaker at RE/MAX’s Asia-Pacific convention at the Gold Coast this week. He spent the past few days at Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge and Lizard Island, where he explored the Great Barrier Reef.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect (about Cairns). I thought it was a little place to go on the SPREADING WORD: RE/MAX Cairns’ Tony Williamson with RE/MAX Italy’s Dario Castiglia. boat and get to the Reef,” he said.
RE/MAX Cairns principal Tony Williamson said his office was getting more interest from overseas buyers.
“Dario will go back to Italy and tell everyone about the virtues of Cairns and the benefits of this area. I have done my bit for Cairns,” he said.
“It might seem like we are just little old RE/MAX Cairns, but RE/MAX has got over 115,000 people working for it in over 100 countries.
“The world is getting smaller with technology.” A RETAIL guru is the latest executive appointment at Cairns Airport.
Tracey Groves has taken on the role of chief commercial officer for retail, transport and property at North Queensland Airports (NQA).
Ms Groves has 30 years’ experience in the retail sector and was most recently retail chief operating officer for United Petroleum.
“Tracey has worked across a diverse range of retail sectors, including senior positions with Coles Myer, Crown Casino and a number of multinational fuel companies,” said Cairns Airport chief executive Norris Carter.
“During her impressive career, Tracey has undertaken major retail development and business transformation projects.
“She has proven capabilities in strategy development and business growth as well as operational management and the development of high performing teams and effective business models.
“Tracey’s extensive experience will add vital strategic value to NQA’s business as she leads the commercial team in their strong focus on meeting our customers’ needs via ongoing retail, transport and property management and the delivery of key projects.”