FNQ TO WIN IN $60M BUY-UP

Industry to ride wave as group splashes cash for tourism brands

EXPERIENCE Co has further cemented itself as Far North tourism’s new giant after announcing plans to splash an- other $60 million on two established brands.

Formerly known as Skydive the Beach, the ASX-listed company will take over Big Cat Green Island Reef Cruises and Tropical Journeys.

The two deals are set to take Experience Co into the Port Douglas market while bringing its Far North spending spree to well over $100 million since late 2016.

Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators boss, Col McKenzie, believes the company’s international marketing power will boost the broader Far North tourism sector.

It comes less than two months after the company was rocked by the deaths of three skydivers at Mission Beach.

A FORMER Tablelands student suggested uneven flooring and a patron’s quirky character could explain why she allegedly breached the Liquor Act 1992 by serving the man while he was unduly intoxicated.

The two-day hearing for bartender Madalyn Di Cola is set to continue in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.

The Office of Liquor and Gaming have been investigating the incident, which allegedly occurred on June 10, 2016, at the Barron River Hotel at Stratford.

The court heard that CCTV footage of the night showed the patron in question was “stumbling around the bar”, was dancing around and had dropped his wallet at the bar making several attempts to pick it up again.

Investigators Morris Griffiths and Matthew Larney and Barron River Hotel duty manager Madisan Duffie were called to the witness stand yesterday and cross-examined.

In an interview by Mr Larney and tendered to the court, Ms Di Cola said the man was a regular patron and he regularly mumbled and slurred his words even when sober.

She said “there’s certain things, yes” about the man’s actions that met those of someone who was unduly intoxicated, but even without alcohol “it’s so hard to have a conversation with him, a lot of it is mumbling”.

Ms Di Cola also said the “floor was uneven and not level” throughout the hotel, affecting the man’s balance.

ADVENTURE COMPANY SPENDING $60M TO EXPAND EXPERIENCE