CEO & Board Updates

The CEO and Board provide regular updates to members and stakeholders on TTNQ’s activities and the state of the industry. These are included in TTNQ’s member newsletters.

CEO-Board Updates
1 May 2024
May 2024 CEO Update

Tropical North Queensland’s events calendar is in full swing with 100 community heroes from across the country attending the world-first Savannah Sounds on the Reef featuring Sheppard and Lee Kernaghan at the Reef Magic pontoon on Saturday.

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CEO-Board Updates
3 Apr 2024
April 2024 CEO Update

The new Singapore Airlines A350 service touched down in Cairns this week bringing with it the opportunity to progress Tropical North Queensland’s international recovery.

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CEO-Board Updates
6 Mar 2024
March 2024 CEO Update

TTNQ has launched a Sustainability Leaders Group as part of our vision for Tropical North Queensland to be the leader in ecotourism in Australia and our mission for every visitor to leave our destination as a custodian of the region’s stories.

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CEO-Board Updates
7 Feb 2024
February 2024 CEO Update

With Cape Tribulation still inaccessible, forward bookings in Port Douglas well down and Cairns still behind previous years, it is essential that everything gets thrown at helping Tropical North Queensland tourism operators who face a very tough end of summer season.

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CEO-Board Updates
10 Jan 2024
January 2024 CEO Update

Tourism Tropical North Queensland has been advocating for industry support since 10 December when Tropical Cyclone Jasper was looming and to date we have done more than 40 media appearances to let decision-makers and visitors know where help is needed.

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CEO-Board Updates
15 Nov 2023
November 2023 CEO Update

Tourism Tropical North Queensland has launched our first global trade campaigns for the Cairns & Great Barrier Reef brand partnering with Expedia and Trip.com for activity in seven key international markets. The global campaigns are among more than 20 campaigns utilising the Federal Government’s $15 million International Tourism Recovery Program funding.

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CEO-Board Updates
18 Oct 2023
October 2023 CEO Update

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef received a resounding thumbs up from the 300 Aussie Specialists at G’Day Australia at the Cairns Convention Centre last week, while familiarisation tours before and after the event generated $2 million for Tropical North Queensland’s visitor economy.

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CEO-Board Updates
20 Sep 2023
September 2023 CEO Update

The positive impact of tourism on the environment and local community was emphasised at TTNQ’s first international media showcase in Japan last week attended by 25 Japanese media.

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CEO-Board Updates
23 Aug 2023
August 2023 CEO Update

There is much excitement in the industry about the prospect of the return of Tropical North Queensland’s once-strong Chinese visitor numbers before Chinese New Year after a week of good news from the China market.

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CEO-Board Updates
26 Jul 2023
July 2023 CEO Update

Tropical North Queensland’s international recovery is well underway with the significant milestone of 10,000 passengers reached earlier this month, marking the busiest week for Cairns’ international terminal since February 2020.

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CEO-Board Updates
28 Jun 2023
June 2023 CEO Update

High-spending Sydney visitors helped to grow interstate travel to Tropical North Queensland for the year ending March 2023 generating a $2.6 billion boost to the economy, according to Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey figures released today.

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CEO-Board Updates
14 Jun 2023
June 2023 CEO Update

The upcoming year presents the greatest opportunity our destination has ever had to influence international visitors to choose Cairns & Great Barrier Reef for their next holiday.

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CEO-Board Updates
31 May 2023
May 2023 CEO Update

We are nearly half way through the Year of Accessible Tourism and I am delighted to see more operators thinking about how they can be more inclusive. Congratulations to Quicksilver Dive in Port Douglas on becoming the first PADI Adaptive Service Facility in Queensland opening up scuba to people with varying levels of mobility.

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CEO-Board Updates
2 May 2023
May 2023 CEO Update

Cairns & Great Barrier Reef has an enormous legacy in China thanks to the long-established relationships with our operators and TTNQ’s active engagement over many years. This was demonstrated in the warm reception that China Sales and Marketing Manager Harriet Ganfield and I received as part of the Team Queensland Mission to China.

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CEO-Board Updates
5 Apr 2023
April 2023 CEO Update

Global Meetings Day was celebrated on 30 March, coinciding with a milestone week in the recovery of the business events industry for Tropical North Queensland where we showcased our destination’s capabilities to host sustainable meetings, conferences and incentives.

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CEO-Board Updates
7 Mar 2023
March 2023 CEO Update

The announcement that Cairns will host Tourism Australia’s mega event G’Day Australia bringing more than 300 Aussie Specialists into our region in October is exciting news that will assist with the destination’s international recovery.

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CEO-Board Updates
22 Feb 2023
February 2023 CEO Update

Tourism is all about working together as an industry to market a destination and I’m pleased to see more evidence of this as 2023 unfolds. Collaboration, networking and partnerships are key to maximising opportunities and stretching valuable marketing dollars even further in a very crowded global marketplace.

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CEO-Board Updates
25 Jan 2023
January 2023 CEO Update

China’s announcement that its border would open on January 8 was a welcome New Year surprise bringing instant optimism that international travel would have a better chance of rebounding in the coming year.

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CEO-Board Updates
14 Dec 2022
December 2022 CEO Update

Virgin Australia will launch direct flights from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Cairns from 28 June 2023 bringing more than 30,000 additional visitors to Tropical North Queensland as a result of the first Cairns Airport deal through the Queensland Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.

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CEO-Board Updates
2 Nov 2022
November 2022 CEO Update

Budget night last week was one of the more memorable in my career as I received the call from Senators Don Farrell and Nita Green finally confirming that our destination would receive the promised $15 million in international destination marketing funds over the next three years.

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CEO-Board Updates
20 Oct 2022
October 2022 CEO Update

A strong majority of local government representatives have put their support behind further investigation of an opt-in visitor levy for local governments with 85% of attendees at the Queensland Local Government Conference voting for it in Cairns yesterday.

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CEO-Board Updates
21 Sep 2022
September 2022 CEO Update

Visitors with accessibility challenges account for some 15-20% of global tourism. Research by Tourism Australia has shown that accessible tourism can be a game changer for destinations that will assist with post-pandemic recovery by building industry resilience.

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CEO-Board Updates
24 Aug 2022
August 2022 CEO Update

TTNQ and 22 member businesses were the largest contingent at Tourism Australia’s Marketplace North America this month, meeting with 80 trade representatives to promote Cairns & Great Barrier Reef.

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#ExploreTNQ

There’s never a dull day at the beautiful @paronellapark! 🏰🌴 First opened to the public in 1935, this stunning castle has remained virtually unchanged since then 💫 Like something out of an old love story, this spot is truly a magical & unforgettable place nestled amongst the lush @wettropicsworldheritage rainforest, it’s the kind of place that you say you'll drop in for a few hours & end up spending the whole day 🌿

🎥 @adventuringourownway  #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #cassowarycoast

[ID: A series of video clips of Paronella Park, the ruins of a Spanish style castle built in the rainforest. The park has been taken over by lush plat life and grass. Text on screen reads POV: you stumble upon a castle that’s been reclaimed by a Queensland rainforest]
Today @leighton_videography brings us his favourite waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland! Which one is your fave? 🌴🦋

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia 

[ID: Clips of waterfalls in Tropical North Queensland. All are full and flowing. Waterfalls are Millaa Mill Falls, Behana Gorge, Davies Creek Falls and Windin Falls]
Don’t forget to catch the epic magic shows at @wildlifehabitat 🌴😌

[ID: Two wildlife keepers lift a blue sheet for a few seconds, then drop it to reveal an emu.]
We interrupt your scrolling to show you @visitpalmcove, nothing further, as you were 🌴🦋

📸 @tessa_jayne_  #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #palmcove #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia

[ID:Palm trees line a sandy beach pathway at sunset, with a lone person walking and the ocean visible in the background.]
There’s so much to love about @lizardisland but the world famous “Cod Hole” is one of our favourites! Why? Because of these curious potato cods of course🐠 

🎥 @tabithalipkin #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia 

[ID: Woman diving on the Great Barrier Reef while a curious potato cod (large fish) is investigating her. Text on screen reads “POV: You make friends with a potato cod named Tater Tot at the Great Barrier Reef and she loves the camera. LOVES IT. She especially wanted to show you her spots…”See!? This is why they call me a potato cod! My spots look like potatoes!” “What’s personal space?!” “Hi again” “Can we take a picture before you leave?” Absolutely]
Nothing screams tropical like an island getaway & @bedarraisland should definitely be at the top of your list! 🏝🍹 Oh, did we mention all inclusive? 🍾 From private candlelit dinners on the beach, to fishing gear & kayaks, to meals & cocktails, the staff at Bedarra Island go above & beyond to make sure your luxury escape is unforgettable 🌴🌸 Not to mention the view is pretty great 😉 So, when will we see you here? 👋

🎥 @_markfitz #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #cassowarycoast 

[ID: Aerial video panning over the beach on Bedarra Island. There are bright green palm trees and blue ocean waves lapping a white sandy shore. Text on screen reads: Amazing tropical beaches in Australia: Bedarra Island, Qld]
Don’t have time to visit the Great Barrier Reef while you’re in #Cairns? Or if you just want to learn a little more about the reef, there’s nowhere better to explore than the @cairns_aquarium 🩵🐠

🎥 @tabithalipkin #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia 

[ID: Clips of the Cairns Aquarium and marine life that is housed inside it. Text on screen reads: An aquarium that brings the Great Barrier Reef to you”
Today we take time to commemorate the brave men & women who have served our nation in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.

Soldiers from Tropical North Queensland joined the defence force to help protect Australia, including many Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people. Thanks to these people, we now live in an incredible location that we’re very proud of 💙🌴

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the region, visit the Cairns Museum or check out some of the many historical sites around the region including the ANZAC trail ✨

Lest We Forget ❤️
If bright blue milky waters and a jacuzzi-like spa spells bliss for you then we’ve got you covered 🙌🌴 Cardwell Spa Pool, located along the Cardwell Forest Drive, is just one of few colourful swimming spots in the area! 🦋 If you enjoy waterhole hopping, head further along the track to Attie Creek Falls & Dead Horse Creek 🚙🌿

🎥 @jessadventuresaus #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #cassowarycoast

[ID: Video clips of the Cardwell Spa Pool, which has bright blue water and is surrounded by lush green rainforest. Text on screen reads: Is this the bluest swimming hole in all of Australia?]
Happy Earth Day! 🌏🌱
This year for Earth Day, we’re working to reduce plastic use in Tropical North Queensland, here’s how you can help on your next holiday!

☕️ Reusable water bottles, coffee cups, straws and more! 
🏝️ Support local conservation efforts like beach clean ups
🦋 Choose eco-friendly accommodation, restaurants and tours who are also working to reduce plastic use
🗑️ Reduce and recycle your rubbish (make sure it goes in the right bin and doesn’t end up on the ground!)

Hit the bio link to learn more ☝️

#exploreTNQ #explorecairnsgbr #earthday2024