EO Update, 28 August 25

Executive Officer Message

It’s been another dynamic month for our destination, with strong momentum in promoting Port Douglas and the Daintree to industry, media, and consumers.

This weekend, Nine News Queensland again shone a spotlight on Port Douglas, featuring the story we pitched around the potential expansion of the marina and what it could mean for the future of our vibrant marine tourism industry. This follows the great coverage in the Cairns Post announcing that Port Douglas will host the Regional Destination IQ Forum in September – a fantastic recognition of our region’s growing profile in cultural and sustainable tourism.

This fortnight, we gathered with our Platinum Members at the Sheraton Grand Mirage for an important catch-up, sharing TPDD’s 2025–26 marketing plan and discussing industry priorities in an open and constructive forum.

On the campaign front, our Spring is Even Better Up Here activity continues to make a big impact. From postcards rolling out across the shire to high-performing radio promotions in Melbourne and Christchurch, we’re seeing strong results, including impressive ROI from our media partners. JCDecaux has even come on board with additional billboard support for heavily discounted rates, extending our message and giving us even more visibility across Melbourne just as their temperatures plummeted!

Last week I was in Sydney and Melbourne representing Business Events Port Douglas at the Tropical Showcase roadshow. It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet directly with Professional Conference Organisers, Destination Management Companies, Corporates and Associations to highlight the strength of our region and its capacity to host business events.

We’re pleased to welcome three new members to TPDD, each adding to the lifestyle and experiences our region is known for: The Forever Reef Project, Lumir, and Café Fresq.

Finally, our occupancy snapshot shows stronger bookings through August and September compared to last year, though softer forward trends for October and November. By continuing to work together and leverage the momentum of our campaigns, we can help stimulate demand throughout the spring season.

Thank you, as always, for your support and collaboration as we continue to drive awareness and opportunities for Port Douglas and the Daintree.

Warm regards,

Emma