Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Pip Close said just 2 per cent of visitors to Tropical North Queensland were using the Visitor Information Centre on the Cairns Esplanade.
“Technology is driving how people make their travel decisions and the competition from online booking agents has impacted on bookings and commissions to a point where our Visitor Information Centre can no longer compete,” she said.
“The Board has been thinking about this option for the past two years and has surveyed members with the majority agreeing to the closure.
“There are many tour desks in the city to service visitors and TTNQ’s focus needs to be on getting visitors to our destination.
“We are developing innovative technology to tap into the framework for attracting and servicing visitors which will target people while they are making the decision where to travel and assist visitors while they are travelling in Tropical North Queensland.”
The Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre has been providing advice to travellers in Cairns and assisting them with booking tours since the 1980s.
Ms Close said the Centre’s manager Wayne Joughin, his staff and the volunteers who have given generously of their time over the years deserved a very special mention.
“Their welcoming faces and professional local knowledge have added to the enjoyment of many holidays and we look forward to seeing them continue to welcome visitors at events like Ironman Asia-Pacific,” she said.
“As we have done in the past, TTNQ will assist major event organisers by promoting volunteer opportunities as they arise.
“All volunteers will be referred to the Cairns Airport, Ports North and the Cairns Museum volunteer programs so they can continue their valuable role in the community through these organisations.
“It is sad to be farewelling the Cairns & Tropical North Visitor Information Centre, but exciting to be working on cutting edge technology that will take Tropical North Queensland into the future as one of the world’s most inspiring nature-based destinations.”
ENDS
For more information, contact:
Communications Consultant Liz Inglis
Mobile: 0419 643 494 Email: [email protected]