Port Douglas is ready to lay out welcome mat
PORT Douglas business leaders have described the lifting of statewide travel bans an important first step in the tourism jewel’s fightback from the coronavirus pandemic.
State Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s tough stance on borders has frustrated many operators in the Douglas Shire but her decision to open the Far North to all Queenslanders was met with applause yesterday.
Publican Daniel Gray, who runs Paddy’s Irish Bar and Grill and Rattle n Hum on Macrossan Street, said his venues would reopen from Thursday.
“It’s a great first step,” he said.
“What it does is bide the Queensland Government a bit more time before the borders reopen and we can start to get interstate visitors back in town.
“You can feel that Queenslanders are itching to travel.
“We’ll welcome them with open arms.”
Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree chief Tara Bennett said the region was “rejoicing with the rest of Queensland” following the further easing of travel restrictions.
“We are really looking forward to seeing visitors enjoying our beautiful region once again,” Ms Bennett said.
Port Douglas’ two biggest pubs, the Court House Hotel and Central Hotel, are expected to reopen once stage 3 of the restrictions commence, which will allow 100 people inside licensed venues.
Mr Gray said he was keen to get things moving and “welcome all the locals back” with pubs now able to host 20 people at a time.
“It will be nice to allow people to come in, grab a quick bite and have a couple of pints,” he said.