Powerplay on over tourism

HEAVYWEIGHT developer Ghassan Aboud’s ominous declaration that he is putting his mega-plans for Port Douglas on ice will send chills down the spine of mayor Julia Leu and her town.

Will the $250 million redevelopment of the marina go ahead?

The Far North has every finger, leg and palm leaf crossed that it will.

The reality is Mr Aboud has invested a serious amount of money on three hotel developments in Cairns and $55 million on the Port Douglas property.

The first of his Crystalbrook Collection hotels, Riley, has been open for just over a year and while it has received a warm and glowing reception, tourism as a whole in the Far North has for much of the year been doing it tough.

Mr Aboud is upping the pressure in this high-stakes chess game with the government.

It’s not the first time he has voiced his concern over a lack of action on increasing tourists and attracting new international airlines as construction has hammered away on his three CBD properties over the past few years.

But the Port Douglas marina is his queen in this game as he uses its power to his advantage against an opponent he believes does not spend enough on the Far North.

Last night the wealthy Syrian opened his latest hotel offering, Bailey, with his special guest Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

The pair has had regular contact since Mr Aboud walked into Cairns highlighting how large his power and influence has grown.

I wonder what the Premier’s next move will be as this region holds its breath hoping she doesn’t lose the Tropical North’s king.

Jennifer Spilsbury

Editor