Horizon bright despite downturn

DUCKABOUT Tours operator Paul Appleton is still new to the Far North but said businesses should stay upbeat about conditions.

Mr Appleton moved his business from Darwin to Cairns because he believes the Far North is “on a winner”.

“We’re quite upbeat and it has been steady so far,” he said.

“We’re starting to have good conversations with cruise liners – this year there are 80 through, next year 90, and when dredging of the harbour is complete you’re looking at 130 per annum.

“Just that amount of people being dropped off into the city puts so much more into the economy. You have got to know that’s a winner.”

But Tourism Palm Cove president Paul Garnham said he was concerned by the downturn.

“We look at the figures and we do know on average Cairns business is down 5-10 per cent going on supply figures and everything else,” Mr Garnham said.

“We are getting to be known as a nanny state with our lockout laws and trading hour restrictions and people are looking at cheaper options like Bali and Phuket.

“It’s a little bit too hard to come this way and certainly domestic travel is a little bit too expensive.

“We definitely need to keep getting ourselves known out there.”

But Mr Garnham said Palm Cove and the northern beaches had bucked the trend, drawing plenty of domestic visitors.