Port Douglas & Daintree Shine Bright at Queensland is Calling UK & Europe

Port Douglas & Daintree Shine Bright at Queensland is Calling UK & Europe

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD) participated in the Queensland is Calling UK & Europe 2025 roadshow in September alongside Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), TTNQ, and a wider Tropical North Queensland contingent. TPDD was represented by Executive Officer Emma Tunnock, joining 15 member operators who attended as part of the Queensland showcase. While the broader program promoted Queensland as a whole, the participation of TPDD and its members ensured that Port Douglas and the Daintree were strongly profiled within it - driving visibility and future opportunities for the destination. Together, they highlighted the region’s exceptional combination of reef, rainforest, and relaxed coastal charm, reinforcing its position as one of Queensland’s most distinctive and desirable places to visit.

Strong Momentum for Queensland, and Our Destination

The UK and Europe remain cornerstone markets for Queensland, delivering 401,000 visitors, 9.3 million visitor nights, and $1.05 billion in expenditure in 2024. These travellers stay longer and explore further than most other international visitors, making them essential to the state’s visitor economy.

A key enabler of this growth for our region is the Singapore Airlines direct service into North Queensland, providing a premium and convenient link between Europe, Britain, and our destination. This route directly supports access for high-value travellers seeking reef, rainforest, and relaxed coastal experiences.

It complements Queensland’s wider aviation network through Brisbane, which remains one of Australia’s strongest international gateways. Major global carriers operate frequent services into Brisbane, enhancing overall accessibility and building trade confidence to feature our northern destination in high-value itineraries.

Together, these aviation partnerships ensure Port Douglas and the Daintree remain front of mind as one of Queensland’s most distinctive and desirable destinations - where visitors immerse themselves in nature, and experience the essence of Australia’s tropical north.

Port Douglas & Daintree Front and Centre in Buyer and Agent Engagement

The roadshow’s four-day program included three major events, each providing valuable opportunities for trade engagement and destination storytelling:

• Mallorca Buyer Event – a dedicated program of one-on-one meetings with senior product managers and contracting teams from leading UK and European wholesalers, followed by important networking opportunities. These are the people responsible for curating destinations and experiences within global travel programs.

Port Douglas and the Daintree’s strong presence in these programs is not by chance - it reflects years of consistent trade engagement and the hard work of our operators and destination representatives in building long-term relationships. This sustained effort has cemented our region as a hero destination for Queensland, celebrated for its balance of reef, rainforest, and coastal experiences. Ongoing participation in events like this is critical to maintaining that visibility and driving the continued growth of international visitation.

• Cologne and Manchester Training Sessions – interactive workshops designed to refresh and inspire frontline travel agents. These sessions provided opportunities to share new product updates, imagery, and local insights that deepen understanding and confidence in selling Port Douglas, the Daintree, and the wider tropical region.

Across all events, agents reaffirmed strong confidence in our destination and highlighted the increasing demand for authentic, nature-based, and wellbeing-focused travel that perfectly reflects the essence of Port Douglas and the Daintree.

Why the Destination Resonates

From our tropical seaside village atmosphere to the world’s oldest living rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, the appeal of Port Douglas and the Daintree is undeniable. Agents described it as “the place travellers dream of finishing their Australian trip” - a destination that blends authenticity, beauty, and rejuvenation.

Feedback confirmed what our industry already knows: UK and European travellers are seeking meaningful, nature-based, and wellness-led travel - experiences that connect them deeply to the landscape and culture. Port Douglas and the Daintree deliver this through boutique coastal stays, world class reef and rainforest experiences, Indigenous cultural experiences, and wellness escapes in an unparalleled natural setting.

Opportunities for Growth

Conversations with UK and European product managers, who determine what experiences are contracted and promoted across major travel networks, revealed strong appetite for our region. Opportunities exist to:

• Grow length of stay, particularly among travellers finishing their Australian journey in Port Douglas and the Daintree.
• Position Port Douglas as a hub for exploring the wider Tropical North, clearly defining complementary experiences across reef, rainforest, and coastline.
• Champion our nature-based product, highlighting the exceptional quality, sustainability, and depth of experiences across the region.

Ongoing trade engagement will be key to sustaining momentum and ensuring our destination continues to feature prominently in global itineraries.

Looking Ahead

The Queensland is Calling roadshow reaffirmed that Port Douglas and the Daintree perfectly embody what UK and European travellers are seeking - authentic nature, luxury with heart, and experiences that connect people to place.

With strengthened aviation links, renewed trade relationships, and growing demand for immersive tropical experiences, Port Douglas and the Daintree are poised for continued growth in these key markets.