EO Update, July 8

Message from Executive Officer

We're delighted to see the region thriving in the holiday period. All efforts now are focused on extending the season with our new Spring Campaign set to launch in mid-July across both Melbourne and Christchurch. Sending a message down south, the campaign will feature premium large-format outdoor billboards focusing on airport and transit media, and radio promotions across Nova FM in Melbourne and The Edge and More FM in Christchurch. We’re also layering in a My Queensland Holiday campaign through Ignite to drive direct bookings and conversion. We’re thrilled to have secured buy-in from nine Platinum members, whose support is instrumental in delivering this level of activity - thank you.

We had the pleasure of hosting the Boards and Executive teams from TEQ and TTNQ here in Port Douglas and the Daintree. Their visit provided a valuable opportunity to engage in meaningful discussion around the future of our region - from investment priorities and regional needs to the strength of our ecotourism and cultural experiences.

Last week we met with Dom and Rachael from Tourism Australia, which provided another valuable opportunity to align on national tourism priorities and explore ways to amplify the content we’re creating locally. Maintaining a strong relationship with TA is an important part of our strategy to increase visibility and reach for the Douglas region.

We also met with Drew Turton, Regional Manager for Expedia, who shared timely insights into the performance of our region and highlighted the growing importance and popularity of holiday packages - a tactic that enables bundled deals without affecting publicly listed rates, helping accommodation providers drive bookings while maintaining rate integrity.

Following her visit in May, journalist Riley Wilson has also just delivered a stunning series of feature articles across Australian Traveller and Qantas Travel Insider, capturing the essence of our region with warmth and authenticity. This calibre of media exposure is exactly what we aim to secure - coverage that inspires travel and elevates our destination's profile. In addition, we’re finalising our 2025–2026 Marketing Plan, which outlines our strategic direction and key initiatives for the year ahead. We look forward to sharing a feature summary in the next newsletter, along with a downloadable version for reference.

We’re continuing to support Taste Port Douglas through social and digital content, and we’re looking forward to seeing this flagship culinary event further strengthen our regional food and wine offering.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are telling an authentic and compelling story of the Douglas region - one that resonates deeply with travellers and continues to set us apart.

Emma