Change for tourism

New faces on board with TTNQ election

A HOTLY contested election for the Tourism Tropical North Queensland board of directors will kick off at the organisation’s annual general meeting on Friday.

The regional tourism organisation is in for a shake-up with four positions up for grabs and 10 nominations from members.

Chairman Max Shepherd will step down at the board’s first meeting after the AGM with director Wendy Morris taking over his leadership role.

Mr Shepherd, who has been TTNQ chairman since July 2015, said his successors could not afford to rest on the recent success in gaining year-round direct flights from China.

“We have to continue to look at new markets and encourage better access to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef from markets like India,” he said.

“At the same time, we have to work very closely with the domestic market.

“In the end, that is the largest market for our region.”

TTNQ’s surplus for 2016-17 fell by about $70,000 on the previous year to $162,195, despite revenue being up by $1.8 million to $8.8 million.

Mr Shepherd said the board was running a “good balanced budget” and the surpluses related to unspent grant funds.

The organisation’s spending on marketing and promotion was up $1.8 million – in line with the revenue increase – to $6.6 million over the year.

Paronella Park owner Mark Evans will run uncontested for southern zone director, but the race for other roles will be more competitive.

The tightest battle will be for two general director roles, with seven applicants including Shangri-La Hotel manager Nic O’Donnell, Skyrail boss Craig Pocock and Pullman Reef Hotel Casino general manager Wayne Reynolds.

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