EO Update

Message from Executive Officer

Today we pay tribute to a remarkable woman, Marillyn Morris, who passed away peacefully yesterday surrounded by her family. Marillyn was deeply devoted to the Port Douglas Daintree region and played a pivotal role in her family’s remarkable contribution to the region. Beside her husband John, Marillyn was instrumental in helping to make Port Douglas the beloved destination it is today. In a timely recognition, John Morris was awarded the region’s Outstanding Contribution by an Individual at Tourism Tropical North Queensland Awards for Excellence on Friday night.

Thank you to all our members and guests who joined us for our TPDD AGM at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort & Spa on Wednesday night. We welcomed new Board Directors and recognised TPDD's many achievements from the 2023-24 year - a year of resilience amidst evolving challenges in the tourism sector. We also extend sincere thanks to Ahmad and the team at Pullman Sea Temple Port Douglas for their wonderful hospitality in hosting us on the evening.

Over the past few weeks our efforts have been focused on several key areas. We've been working on advocating for our tourism region, compiling numerous reports and presentations to keep our partners informed about key developments in the sector. This work will commence tomorrow with a deputation to Douglas Shire Council at the October Ordinary Council Meeting. This work is crucial in ensuring that the voices of our members are heard and that we effectively address the challenges and opportunities facing the tourism sector in Far North Queensland.

A highlight of the period was Port Shorts, which TPDD was proud to sponsor and support. This year's event saw the highest attendance to date, attracting people from around the country and closer to home. The event showcased our region as an ideal stage for signature events.

We're now seeking member deals to drive traffic for our Summer and Shoulder activity. Check out the details below, noting deals can be value-added opportunities, discounts, and/or special experiences. Deals should be designed to entice booking decisions over low season months.

We're excited to be in the midst of a brand refresh, including an update of our website. This aims to improve user experience and better showcase the unique offerings of Port Douglas Daintree, aligning with our commitment to sustainability in tourism.

We've just wrapped up a content shoot for the upcoming Summer in the Tropics campaign, where we secured the support of TEQ and TTNQ. We're also planning further member workshops and support activities over the low season to help with visibility for members and the region. Our efforts will soon also focus on the Cairns and surrounds market to align with the launch of the Douglas Card in November.

Additionally, we recently featured in a radio segment, promoting our region and upcoming events to a broader audience, further enhancing our visibility.

Please see below a few photos from our AGM at Pullman Port Douglas Sea Temple Resort and Spa.

Wishing you a great week ahead,

Emma

TPDD AGM 2024