Taking tourism forward

Almost five years ago I left the Cairns Post building in Abbott Street after a long first day at work.

I was weary but energised and the mood in the street seemed to match mine. Music filtered through the streets and the incredible smells from restaurants filled my nostrils as I walked to my car to go home.

Pedicabs freighted tourists to their next desired haunt while others pointed their cameras to the sky, at our beautiful historic building and, of course, at themselves.

I’ll never forget it — the streets were alive and instead of lights out, it was very much a case of bright lights. I had moved back home after decades away but it wasn’t the sugar town of old, it had become so much more. The Cairns Post since January 29 has been rolling out its Future Tourism campaign, which will culminate in a special event this Wednesday.

More than 400 will attend the Cairns Convention Centre to hear from renowned demographer Bernard Salt and engage in a panel discussion with Bernard, Tourism Minister Kate Jones, Entrada Travel Group CEO John Thorburn and the busiest man in the Far North right now, TTNQ CEO Mark Olsen.

The tourism chief has proven to be a true leader in the past couple of weeks as the effects of coronavirus compound.

It’s hoped he has found some time in the past week to get some sleep.

The Cairns Post had always planned to run the campaign from January 29-February 12 highlighting the importance of the industry, how to grow it and indeed weather the storms.

The rise of coronavirus in recent weeks has only proven what many of us already know — tourism matters to this region and when it hurts, we all do.

It is clear though that not everyone understands the $2.8 billion annual contribution it makes to our economy.

For those who think we’re better off without tourism, think about what we wouldn’t have. Along with the one in five jobs that tourism provides, the industry fosters cultural, education and trade links. Many tourism operators offer locals discounts but they also get to enjoy a wider variety of retail experiences and many more hospitality options. You only need look at Townsville and Mackay to know Cairns is spoilt for choice in restaurants, cafes and bars.

And don’t forget our domestic and international airports.

Effective government support is needed to help tourism through this crisis. Equally important though, we must look at what we can do ourselves.

What the Future Tourism campaign aims to do is galvanise and fortify our industry so that it may flourish in the decades to come so that all Far Northerners may benefit.

THE RISE OF CORONAVIRUS IN RECENT WEEKS HAS ONLY PROVEN WHAT MANY OF US ALREADY KNOW — TOURISM MATTERS TO THIS REGION AND WHEN IT HURTS, WE ALL DO