Kleinhardt Business Consultants & Business Brokers - Senior Business Advisor and Broker.
Cam Charlton is an experienced business consultant with more than 30 years as a chartered accountant and an accredited management consultant. Cam's work is focused on sustainable business growth and development with particularly strong emphases on performance enhancement and governance.
Daintree Discovery Centre Manager
Abi Ralph has considerable experience in the tourism industry spanning more than 25 years. Today, she is the manager of the Daintree Discovery Centre, overseeing a team of 12 employees.
She has lived North of the Daintree River since 1996, and is highly motivated and passionate about the area and the tourism industry.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Marketing Manager
Lani is a performance-driven marketing professional with a passion for the tourism industry.
With over 14 years of tourism marketing experience, she is skilled in developing and implementing integrated marketing campaigns and leading successful product launches, promotions, digital marketing, and strategic brand development.
North Queensland Airports Aviation Business Development Manager
Hi, my name is Kieran Ryan, more commonly known as, Jon Jon. I am a Cultural Man of the Kuku Yalanji people from within the Nyungkal Clan, more specifically, Kumurbina (Black Cockatoo). My First Nations ancestry also reaches out to Gunggandji (Yarrabah) & K’Gari (briefly known as Fraser Is.).Over the last 15 years I have focused on personally developing a safe space for sharing and educating people on traditions, cultural practices and customs that have been taught to me by my peers & Elders of the Kuku Yalanji Nation. In the last four years working with Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation (JYAC) RNTBC, under three separate managers, I have undertaken many positions, working within many programs, both in-the-field and administrative roles that have exhibited my ability to perform and succeed in the completion of each role.Such roles focused on, but were not limited to community consultation, development and engagement with Wujal Wujal Council and the Eastern Kuku Yalanji First Nations community, facilitating and maintaining in-business partnerships with JYAC and breakthrough digital mapping of the Nyungkal Clan area. Through my hard work and effort with JYAC, I have been successful in securing the Tourism Manger role and have been recognised for my work within the Tourism Industry, tour guiding and operations management.
General Manager - Silky Oaks Lodge
With a robust career in hospitality management, I currently serve as General Manager for Baillie Lodges, overseeing Silky Oaks Lodge. This luxury 40-lodge property is the jewel of far north Queensland. My role encompasses all facets of operations, from guest experiences and team management to strategic business oversight.Previously, I worked with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, managing the Desert Gardens Hotel and Emu Walk Apartments. This 218-room hotel and 63- apartment property includes two restaurants and a bar, serving approximately 700 meals daily, supported by a team of 130 members. Prior to that, I held a contract as General Manager at Vali Co Working Hotel in Byron Bay, where I led the redesign of a boutique hotel with co-working spaces. My background also includes managing Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, a self-sufficient resort under Accor Hotels and Resorts. There, I oversaw a wide array of services, including 48 lodge rooms, 20 eco luxury tents, 210 campsites, multiple F&B outlets, and a cultural centre. As part of this role, I also sat on the board of Kakadu Tourism and the Kakadu Tourism Consultant Committee. With experience managing teams and complex operations, I bring a strategic approach to leadership, tourism, driving operational efficiency while ensuring exceptional guest experiences.
CaPTA Group Group General Manager
Andrew has over 20 years of extensive experience in financing, building, and operating tourist attractions.
Commencing with The CaPTA Group in 2018 to provide research and development capabilities on the rejuvenation of Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas. Most recently he has been its Acting General Manager, overseeing major projects such as the redevelopment of the Rainforest Habitat, and the construction of the exciting new CrocArena, before recently being promoted to Group General Manager for The CaPTA Group.
Experience Co - Head of Sales NQ
Lisa moved to NQ from New Zealand, to join Experience Co as Head of Sales NQ. coming not only with fresh eyes, but also ideas and enthusiasm for this amazing region, she now call home. Lisa worked in NZ's tourism industry for about 18yrs and have sat on multiple different industry boards, including the RTO board for Lake Wanaka.
General Manager Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa and Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple Resort & Spa
As a seasoned hospitality executive with over 20 years of experience, I bring a wealth of expertise in tourism management, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement to the board. My background includes leading luxury resorts and hotels, driving operational excellence, and delivering sustainable financial growth. With a bachelor’s degree in hospitality and international Tourism, I have honed a deep understanding of the tourism industry, both locally and internationally.Throughout my career, I have successfully developed and implemented strategies that enhance guest experiences, increase profitability, and strengthen brand reputation. My accomplishments include receiving the Accor Food & Beverage Excellence Award, High Performing Leader F&B, Appreciation of service for the support extended to the Australian Defence force in 2020 during the pandemic and contributing to the successful opening of iconic Luxury properties. I am highly skilled in collaborating with key stakeholders, fostering strong community relationships, and leveraging market insights to drive sustainable tourism growth. By joining the TPDD board, I aim to contribute my expertise in tourism operations, destination marketing, and leadership development to further enhance the region’s appeal.My focus will be on supporting sustainable growth initiatives, enriching visitor experiences, and strengthening the local economy through strategic tourism initiatives.
Mossman Gorge Centre - General Manager
Rachael has 23 years of tourism hospitality industry experience with 21 of those years in Indigenous tourism. She began her role at the Centre in 2012 as the Operations Manager before taking on the Assistant General Manager role and has been officially engaged in the General Manager role in 2021.
Back Country Bliss – Owner
Jason Heffernan, the driving force behind Back Country Bliss Adventures, brings a unique combination of hands-on experience, innovation, and genuine commitment to the tourism scene in our region. Since moving to Port Douglas in 2016 and taking over Back Country Bliss Adventures, Jason has led the company to significant growth, always emphasising sustainable practices.
For the past 7 years, Jason has actively collaborated with a wide array of tourism experiences throughout the Douglas Shire. This approach has not only deepened his understanding of the region's offerings, but has also led to strong, lasting relationships with other business owners. This has provided Jason with a clear perspective on both the shared challenges and collective aspirations for the future of tourism in our region. Actively engaging with local and state governments, he's often at the forefront, addressing industry challenges.
His consistent involvement in both interstate and international trade events underlines his commitment to boosting our region's profile. but also provides him with insights into the evolving trends and practices of the broader industry.
Jason brings not just his business insights but also a strategic vision and genuine passion for growth and proactive collaboration.
TPDD is governed by a skills based Board of Directors. The number of Directors shall not be less than eight (8) or more than eleven (11).
The Board consists of:
There shall be six Elected Directors, comprising:
Three Zone Directors:
Three General Directors:
The Douglas Shire Council may appoint a single Director. The Far North Queensland Promotion Bureau Limited (trading as Tourism Tropical North Queensland (“TTNQ”) may appoint a single Director.
Term of office of elected directors will be two years.
In order to supplement the skills and competencies available to the Board, the Directors shall have power at any time and from time to time to appoint no more than three (3) persons as Directors of the Company. Appointed Directors will be appointed for a term of 1 year.
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Tourism Port Douglas Daintree acknowledges the custodianship of the Daintree Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef by the local Kuku Yalanji and Yirraganydji people whose rich cultures, heritage values, enduring connections and shared efforts protect our natural assets for future generations, and we pay our respect to elders past, present and emerging.
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