It’s our chance so let’s grab it

LOVE them or loathe them, events like the Commonwealth Games and its associated visit by Prince Charles represent a unique opportunity to broadcast the Far North to new and exciting parts of the world and provide a boost for local businesses.

With Cairns hosting the preliminary rounds of the international event’s basketball competition, players and their families and friends from Nigeria, Canada, Jamaica, India and Malaysia will be visiting and experiencing our priceless lifestyle and natural playground.

Visitors from those countries do not usually rank highly among tourists which make regular visits, like those from China or Japan, although India has been identified as a growth market for the region by marketing entity Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

No one can sell our region like the men and women who work in it every day so now is the time to really get ready to roll out the welcome mat for thousands of new faces.

There is plenty of help available, too. The GC2018 Embracing 2018 Legacy Program has held events in Cairns to ensure small businesses are able to identify and maximise the opportunities arising from the Games. Their website has plenty more information as does TTNQ’s.

It is worth investigating some simple but innovative ideas to capitalise on this massive opportunity. Alicia Nally alicia.nally@news.com.au