Latest News & Media Releases

Keep up to date with the latest news from TTNQ. The following are the most recent media releases for both the media, travel writers and tourism trade.

Media Releases
26 Oct 2024
Tourism Tropical North Queensland awards excellence

The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry recognised its innovative people and products at the 2024 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards at the Screen Queensland Studio in Cairns on October 25.

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Media Releases
17 Oct 2024
Tourism Tropical North Queensland triples funding value

Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s ability to multiply the value of funding through strategic partnerships continued in 2023-24 by generating $177.8 million in domestic and international visitor expenditure and a record $300 million in advertising value equivalent including $123 million in publicity.

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Media Releases
16 Oct 2024
TNQ tourism industry identifies growth potential

The Tropical North Queensland tourism sector could become a $7.5 billion industry by 2032 supporting an extra 12,500 regional jobs and contributing an additional $780 million in tax revenue per annum.

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Media Releases
11 Oct 2024
Vale Sir Frank Moore

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen paid tribute to Sir Frank Moore, the father of tourism in Queensland, who passed away yesterday (October 10).

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Media Releases
9 Oct 2024
Cairns airfare sale to boost shoulder season visitation

More than 4400 Aussies have booked flights to Cairns in just 36 hours following a partnership between Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Webjet to increase visitation to the region from November through to May.

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Media Releases
8 Oct 2024
Cruise sector booms in Tropical North Queensland

The cruise season is underway in Tropical North Queensland with 14 scheduled visits in October including the Pacific Encounter today (October 8) with 2600 passengers ahead of a very busy November.

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Media Releases
4 Oct 2024
Airfare sale to boost Tropical North Queensland visitors

Discounted Cairns airfares launch on Monday (October 7) as part of a marketing campaign strategy to drive visitation during the low season to Tropical North Queensland.

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Media Releases
2 Oct 2024
China market recovery underway in Tropical North Queensland

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) generated more than $37 million in sales in the China market last financial year helping to grow the Chinese market by around 20,000 visitors for the region.

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Media Releases
19 Sep 2024
Tourism Tropical North Queensland calls for investment

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) is seeking bipartisan commitment for the State Government to fund destination marketing for the next four years to support about 2185 jobs and bring in more than $735 million in visitor expenditure for the Queensland economy.

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Media Releases
6 Sep 2024
World-first initiative Guardian of the Great Barrier Reef

Conservation curious travellers can visit the newly launched website and work through a series of short educational videos and fast, each with a coupon reward system to use with Expedia bookings on the Great Barrier Reef.

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Newsletters
10 Jul 2024
Sustainability Leaders News – July 2024

Australia faces a pressing waste management issue, impacting every sector including the tourism and hospitality sectors. Annually, our nation produces 2.5 million tonnes of plastic with up to 5% of this leaking into marine environments.

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Media Releases
4 Jul 2024
Tropical North Queensland showcased to NZ agents

New Zealand’s top Expedia Travel Agent Affiliate Program agents were rewarded with an eight-day famil of Tropical North Queensland ahead of an increase in direct flights to Cairns.

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Media Releases
18 Jun 2024
TTNQ conference analyses effective tourism marketing

Global tourism recovery trends, changing consumer behaviour, and responsible artificial intelligence use are among the topics to be discussed at the My Queensland TNQ Tourism Conference at the Hilton Cairns tomorrow (June 19).

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Media Releases
6 Jun 2024
Tourism toolkit to boost Gulf Savannah resilience

A toolkit to help tourism operators develop new experiences and encourage visitors to the Gulf Savannah beyond the peak season will be launched next week to help boost the region’s resilience after natural disasters.

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Media Releases
5 Jun 2024
Accessible tourism grows in Tropical North Queensland

An accessible rainforest canopy walkway and a kayak launcher are among 46 new Tropical North Queensland initiatives to result from Queensland’s Year of Accessible Tourism.

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Media Releases
2 Jun 2024
Queensland is Bluey’s world for real life

That’s the latest major tourism marketing offensive Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is kicking off today, in its biggest campaign in more than a decade, and Tropical North Queensland has a starring role.

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Media Releases
13 May 2024
What’s New in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – May 2024

Jump on a jetski and whizz around Pajinka, the northern-most tip of Australia, with a First Nations-led jetski tour launching on 25 May. Pafetai Morseau from Badu Island has founded Cape York Jetski Tours to showcase the remote region’s culture and history as part of an action-packed jetski tour that can also take in the Torres Strait islands. Fishing and trips to remote art centres are among the options for the tours departing from Seisa in Cape York Peninsula.

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Media Releases
13 May 2024
Sustainability News in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – May 2024

Tropical North Queensland is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active ecocertified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia.

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Media Releases
13 Mar 2024
Tropical North Queensland offers $100 off tours

Visitors to Tropical North Queensland can enjoy $100 off hundreds of tours including Great Barrier Reef trips, scenic helicopter flights and guided rainforest adventures from today with the national launch of the Tropical Dollars campaign.

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Media Releases
5 Mar 2024
Palm Cove tops list of ‘Best Beaches in the World’

Described as the ‘epitome of a tropical paradise’ Tropical North Queensland’s Palm Cove has been crowned best beach in the world by Conde Nast Traveller magazine.

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Media Releases
5 Mar 2024
Tropical North Queensland resilience attracts business events

The resilience of Tropical North Queensland after record flooding in December has inspired corporations planning incentive events for international destinations this year to move their business to Cairns.

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Media Releases
19 Feb 2024
What’s New in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef – February 2024
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Media Releases
17 Feb 2024
Visitors welcomed back to the Daintree on Monday

Independent day visitors can head north of the Daintree River from 5am on Monday 19 February to see the iconic view from the Alexandra Lookout and visit attractions such as the Daintree Discovery Centre.

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Media Releases
14 Feb 2024
Sustainability News in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef

Tropical North Queensland is the most eco-certified destination in Australia with 72 active eco-certified companies and 27 businesses undertaking the process with Ecotourism Australia.

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Media Releases
20 Jan 2024
Great Barrier Reef Drive opens today

The iconic Great Barrier Reef Drive opened at 8am today (Saturday January 20) providing a coastal route to Port Douglas and Daintree in addition the daily ferry service from Cairns and the scenic inland route via Mareeba and Mount Molloy.

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Media Releases
17 Jan 2024
Tourism Recovery Officer begins work

Tourism Tropical North Queensland has appointed Fiona Nicholl to the Tourism Recovery Officer role funded by the Federal and State Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

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Media Releases
3 Jan 2024
How to get to Port Douglas for a summer break

Scenic boat transfers between Cairns and Port Douglas for just $50 and a stunning inland drive are the easiest way to get to Port Douglas for the summer break you’ve been waiting for.

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Media Releases
18 Dec 2023
Tourism works to keep community and visitors safe

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said the organisation’s immediate focus was to keep the community and visitors safe.

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Media Releases
15 Dec 2023
Touring resumes in Tropical North Queensland

The first cruise ship has returned to Cairns, divers are back exploring the Great Barrier Reef and waterfall tours are in demand as Tropical North Queensland welcomes visitors in the wake of Cyclone Jasper.

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Media Releases
6 Dec 2023
Content grants to showcase business event offerings

Fourteen business event suppliers of Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef have received grants of up to $5,000 each to produce new content or update their website performance as part of the Create Great Program.

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Media Releases
29 Nov 2023
China Eastern announces seasonal services to Cairns

China Eastern Airlines will operate seasonal services from Shanghai to Cairns bringing Chinese visitors directly into the region for the Chinese New Year celebrations in 2024 and injecting up to $3 million into the local economy.

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Media Releases
27 Nov 2023
TNQ operators awarded

Tropical North Queensland operators took home 14 wins across 10 categories at the Queensland Tourism Industry Council’s Queensland Tourism Awards ceremony at the Cairns Convention Centre on Friday night.

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Media Releases
15 Nov 2023
TTNQ launches global campaigns to boost visitation

Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) has launched its first global trade campaigns for the ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’ brand partnering with Expedia and Trip.com for activity in seven key international markets

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Media Releases
10 Nov 2023
Tropical North Queensland to host Australia Next

Tourism Australia’s signature incentive showcase will return in 2024 with the event, normally held every two years, to be held in Tropical North Queensland, as Australia continues to rebuild a strong pipeline of international business events.

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Media Releases
3 Nov 2023
Great Barrier Reef gives birth to next generation of corals

Researchers, tourism operators and Traditional Owners are poised to analyse the next generation of corals on the Great Barrier Reef after the start of the annual coral spawn was recorded last night (November 2) on Moore Reef, 47km east of Cairns.

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Media Releases
28 Oct 2023
Tropical North Queensland celebrates tourism excellence

The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry celebrated a year of record achievement at the 2023 Expedia Group TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards at the Cairns Convention Centre on last night (27 October).

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Media Releases
19 Oct 2023
John O’Sullivan to Chair TTNQ Board

Experience Co Limited Chief Executive Officer John O’Sullivan has been appointed Chair of Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) at the Annual General Meeting today (October 19).

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Media Releases
6 Oct 2023
First Nations tourism flourishing in Tropical North Qld

Australian holiday travellers experiencing Indigenous tourism in Tropical North Queensland are spending almost three times more than they did before the pandemic and staying longer in the destination.

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#ExploreTNQ

🎃 Not into scary movies & didn’t get enough of an adrenaline rush this Halloween?

@skyparkcairns by AJ Hackett has you covered!
Experience the ONLY bungy jump in Australia and get your heart racing—the only fright being the height!

Are you brave enough to take the plunge? 🕷️🧗‍♂️

🎥 @skyparkcairns 
#ExploreTNQ #ExploreCairnsGBR  #SeeAustralia #ThisIsQueensland 
[ID: A video montage showcasing the thrill of bungy jumping at SkyPark Cairns. It begins with someone walking the plank, followed by clips of people calming themselves before jumping. Highlights include a woman backflipping off the ledge, various people jumping, and three people on a massive swing. The montage also features burgers and beers.]
@fitzroyisland is definitely a bucket-list experience for every visitor in the tropics & it’s not hard to see why! 🏝

🎥 @_letsescapetogether_ & @fitzroyisland 

  #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR 
#thisisqueensland #seeaustralia  #fitzroyisland 
[ID: Footage of Fitzroy Island highlights activities like canoeing in blue waters, snorkeling with sea turtles, and a sunrise lookout view over the island and ocean. There’s also an aerial shot of a woman swinging on a handmade swing in clear water, gazing at the ocean.]
Hands up if you’re dreaming of this view 🤩🙋 Windin Falls is a spectacular waterfall on the @athertontablelands located along the Old Cairns Track in Wooroonooran National Park 🌿🌅 Have you been here before? 🥾

⚠️ Always check the weather conditions before exploring, stay on the designated walking tracks and avoid hiking on hot days.

📸 @_letsescapetogether_  #exploreTNQ  #explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia
[ID: Image of a man and woman sitting on a rock at Windin Falls, with gentle water flowing nearby. They overlook a green valley of forested hills. ]
🐋🦈Whale, whale, whale! Did you hear? 
 
These gentle giants are making an appearance in Tropical North Queensland yet again... sorry @westernaustralia we'll send them home soon.
 
Reaching up to 12 metres long, they only feast on tiny snacks like plankton and krill. 

October to December is the perfect time to see them during coral spawning. 🌊 

While they are gentle giants, we need to remember they’re in the wild and we need to respect their space too✨
 
🎥 @pablocogollos_photography #exploreTNQ #explorecairnsGBR 
#thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #whaleshark
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope, it’s a... Spectacled flying fox! 🦇

Did you know that while all flying foxes are bats, not all bats are flying foxes? Forget the stereotypes—flying foxes don’t use echolocation and have large, adorable eyes. Plus, they’re all about that fruity diet, feasting on fruit and nectar! 🥭🌺

📸 Gorgeous photograph taken by @katenewmanphoto  in @portdouglasdaintree 

 #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #portdouglasdaintree #FlyingFox 
[ID: Stunning image of a spectacled flying fox gliding through the misty Daintree Rainforest in Tropical North Queensland. Its large, veined wings are fully extended, contrasting against the lush green foliage below. The forest is shrouded in a soft haze, with trees disappearing into the mist.]
🌅✨ Ready to unleash your inner cowgirl?

From epic horse riding and thrilling quad biking to savoring Wagyu with stunning views,

@kurcowbarnwellfarm is where dreams come alive 🤠

#explorecairnsgbr #exploretnq #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #kurcowbarnwellfarm 
[ID: Footage of Kurcow Barnwell Farm experience,two girls riding horses alongside a guide, with rolling hills stretching out in the background. Next, they ride through the mud on quad bikes, splashing through puddles. The video ends with a a platter of Wagyu with their own cooker, overlooking a stunning view.]
Looking for things to do in the Atherton Tablelands? 🌿✨ From exploring stunning waterfalls to tasting fresh local produce, there’s an adventure waiting for everyone! 

#thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #athertontablelands 
[ID: The video begins with the overlay ‘Things to Do in the Atherton Tablelands.’ First, you see the Waterfall Circuit in Millaa Millaa, featuring three stunning waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery. Next, exploring the Crystal Caves in Atherton, a man-made tunnel mimicking a cave adorned with sparkling crystals, including a scene of a girl cracking a geode. Then, Lake Eacham, a serene volcanic lake with clear waters set in a tranquil landscape. The montage concludes at Herberton Historic Village, an open-air museum that showcases the area’s rich history.]
Here in Tropical North Queensland, we take our relaxation pretty seriously! Do you have the right koala-fications to unwind like this? 🐨✨

Visit this zen master at @rainforestation and find your chill! 🧘‍♀️🌿 

🎥 @rainforestation 

#thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #exploretnq #explorecairnsgbr #koala 
[ID: Footage of a koala sitting in a tree eating a eculyptus leaf, looking extremely relaxed.]
Get in girls, we're going hiking! 🌿

Can’t beat the views on #HinchinbrookIsland ! This might not be your typical tropical getaway, but it’s definitely just as good (some may even say it’s better)! ☀️🌴

🎥 @jancitapink

#explorecairnsGBR #thisisqueensland #seeaustralia #tropicalnorthqueensland 

[ID: Video montage of a group of women hiking around Hinchinbrook Island, including mountain views walking on the beach]