Future focus for tourism is key to our success

THE city was absolutely buzzing at the weekend with visits from two big cruise ships. More than 4000 passengers on board the Queen Elizabeth and Nordam docked and spilled into the Far North looking to experience what they could in the city and further afield.

The ships were quite a sight and the human influx brightened the CBD mood. Many of the passengers were senior and donned masks as they enjoyed our city’s hospitality and shopping precincts.

Cairns is hosting this week a major tourism convention with 420 delegates in attendance. They’re discussing ways to refresh international tourism post-Covid.

It’s a serious topic considering, even now as visitors start to arrive again, we are only sitting at 10 to 15 per cent of prepandemic levels.

Our region is being propped up at the moment by the domestic market but we’re wired for international tourism which is more valuable. The average traveller according to Mr Olsen spends $1235 per trip for up to six nights and about $212 per night. It’s a significant amount.

ATEC managing director Peter Shelley predicts we won’t see international tourism fully rebound for another 18 months. That is equally significant in terms of time. A lot of things can happen in 18 months and an important focus will need to be on balancing the highly likely decline in domestic numbers, as Aussies grow in confidence to travel overseas again, with luring enough international tourists to offset that drop.

The climate change effect, ensuring there are new and improved attractions, affordability, accessibility, competition with other Aussie destinations and having enough marketing dollars will no doubt be front and centre.

Jennifer Spilsbury, Editor