EO Update

Message from Executive Officer

On behalf of the TPDD Board, I am delighted to welcome Ahmad Ghaddar as the Port Douglas Zone Director, appointed to fill the casual vacancy for this position. Ahmad brings a wealth of tourism and leadership experience, and we’re excited to welcome him as part of the team!

This week, we met with members in Cape Tribulation and businesses in Daintree Village to provide an update on TPDD activities, our summer marketing campaign, and an important discussion around priorities for the Daintree region. These sessions sparked meaningful discussions that will help shape progress and guide strategic direction for tourism in the Daintree region.

Last Monday TPDD hosted Natassia Wheeler, new CEO of QTIC, during her visit to the region. I met with Natassia, along with the DSC Mayor Lisa Scomazzon and CEO Scott Osman, and industry leaders John and Wendy Morris, to discuss key priorities and opportunities for the region. We also highlighted the challenges we face as we continue recovery from TC Jasper. Natassia spent the afternoon meeting operators and gaining valuable insights into the destination, and we look forward to working with Tash to advance priorities for the region.

The Destination 2045 Queensland Tourism Future consultation was held at the Reef Casino on January 21, providing a platform for the tourism industry to contribute to the state’s long-term vision. This was an important opportunity to ensure our region’s priorities are reflected in the plan, and I encourage everyone to stay engaged in the process.

I also recently met with Mark Olsen together with Liz Schibig from Douglas Shire Council to continue work on the Destination Management Plan (DMP) for Port Douglas and Daintree. We’re reviewing forecasted growth numbers and have started revisiting consultation with industry to address shifting priorities, particularly in light of the recovery process following TC Jasper. These discussions will help identify tourism development opportunities that can support the region’s long-term growth.

On the ecotourism front, we’ve received positive feedback from the recent destination audit, along with some corrective actions to pursue. Additionally, we’re thrilled to celebrate Sailaway’s launch of its second electric glass-bottom boat, which reinforces the region’s leadership in sustainable tourism. More details will be shared soon.

Don’t forget to register for the Port Douglas and Daintree Experience Showcase on March 6! This is a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible experiences our region has to offer. We've almost filled all exhibitor spaces, so be sure to secure your spot!

Finally, if you have a Hero video of your business or experience published on YouTube, we’d love to feature it as part of your listing. This is a great way to highlight your offering to potential visitors.

Thank you for your ongoing efforts. Together, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for the Port Douglas and Daintree region.

Emma