THE ’NARD REBORN
Esplanade plan to transform tourism drawcard
CAIRNS Esplanade is set for a transformation to turn the tourism asset into a vibrant entertainment and dining precinct. Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie said Mayor Bob Manning was committed to the project.
LAST week’s tourism round table illustrated the urgency for all stakeholders to collaborate.
Our region and our industry are underperforming and this was clearly identified and agreed upon at the meetings. Some key statistics:
Since 2006/2007 Cairns’ market share of international visitors to Australia has fallen from 17.29% to 10.28%
Over the same time peri- od Cairns’ market share of international visitors holidaying in Australia has fallen from 27% to 19%
Occupancy in standard accommodation is down 12.1% compared to the same time last year (February 2018 v February 2019)
Occupancy in luxury accommodation is down 9.7% compared to the same time last year (February 2018 v February 2019)
We have an opportunity to change this but everyone must take responsibility. Too often, these important discussions are held and then forgotten two weeks later.
As a working group – Tourism Australia, Tourism Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland and local industry – we need to do more than look at visitor research and marketing.
We need to be effective, we need to make decisions and we need to act on these decisions.
We need to find a mutually agreeable strategy and ways to move forward. We need to identify our target markets, establish what funding we are going to require to make the necessary changes and how we are going to raise these funds.
We have seen other competing destinations claw back more than their market share through increased funding and we must do the same. We also must own up and act on our region’s challenges:
Infrastructure improvements are necessary to support growth
Our region must attract new quality product
We must provide a safe environment. Our crime levels and law and order issues must be addressed. The flying foxes must be removed from their current unsafe location in Cairns CBD.
Clear timelines are vital. We must create a united front we can take to Tourism Minister Kate Jones within the month. On the topic of new infrastructure, I have been in conversation with Mayor Bob Manning and have received confirmation that the Esplanade Enhancement program is confirmed to proceed. I congratulate the Mayor on this action, which is supported by numerous public and business surveys, most recently by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce.
Beautifying the Esplanade and providing a vibrant, safe, friendly and welcoming environment is an excellent example of how the city can become more attractive. The more competitive we can become, the more our local businesses and industry can thrive.
I know there is a strong focus on not compromising the parklands and I agree this is crucial. As a natural gathering point for both locals and tourists, the Esplanade has so much more it can offer. Beyond an enhanced dining space, we will now have an entertainment space for music events, arts festivals and teaching of indigenous culture.
I understand from the Mayor the council has a dedicated team to bring the Esplanade Enhancement to life. Now we need swift action to make this a reality and to bring vitality back to our CBD.
I look forward to working closely with Mayor Bob Manning and his team and with our larger industry workforce to make change happen now.
WHERE TO FROM HERE? NEW INFRASTRUCTURE