INVEST NOW TO ACHIEVE GOALS IN THE FUTURE

PRIVATE enterprise is investing big in our tourism future despite the incredible hurdles the industry has faced over the past two years. It is time for governments at all levels to do the same.

Nautilus Aviation’s $70m plan to add 10 new zero-emission electric aircraft to its fleet is exciting in two ways.

The first is obvious – we are finally at a point in our technological advancement that such a space-age proposal is feasible.

Regardless of your stance on renewables, this green-energy endeavour is a clever and calculated business move that immediately puts Nautilus at the forefront of environmentallyconscious tourism. It is a huge and growing factor in how tourists decide where and how they will travel.

Being able to demonstrate such a commitment to protecting the Great Barrier Reef and reducing emissions will be worth its weight in gold over the coming years.

It is also a vote of confidence in this region’s tourism future in the face of everything Covid has thrown at us so far.

We are right on the edge of another clear opportunity to set the tone for the next 50 years of tourism in Cairns and beyond, and we need all levels of government to work together.

If we miss this chance to capitalise on the immense state and federal 2032 Olympics funding to secure a proper, world-class rectangular stadium for Cairns, we clearly have nothing but dandruff in our skulls.

There finally seems to be some movement at the station but unless Cairns Regional Council knuckles down and delivers a comprehensive proposal to the state and Commonwealth, we will miss out.

Suggesting our focus must only be on water security is disingenuous.

We can do two things at once. Chris Calcino

Reporter