Challenges ahead for Port

By Kerry Larsen

Up to 3000 athletes may compete when Challenge Cairns returns to the Douglas region next June, resulting in huge international exposure of the Douglas region, according to Tourism Port Douglas Daintree executive officer, Doug Ryan.

Mr Ryan said the 1500 athletes from 17 countries who took part in Sunday's event were hugely impressed with the region, the scenery and the support of locals cheering them on along the streets of Port Douglas.

"Some of the international riders said it was one of the best rides anywhere in the world with the beautiful scenery, the course and the support, they can't wait to come back again," Mr Ryan said.

While numbers of spectators in Macrossan Street were down on expectations, questions are being asked as to whether Port Douglas fully embraced the event.

And with 12 months of preparation time until the next Challenge Cairns, Mr Ryan admits there is now an opportunity to capitalise on better local promotion.

"In reality, we only had about six months lead-in time to prepare for this event," he said.

"There were a couple of issues, one being information going out late, mostly regarding road closures. I think some people assumed that all roads were closed into Port Douglas and that would have kept spectator numbers down.

WATCH THE VIDEO OF PORT DOUGLAS LOCALS CHEERING ON THE ATHLETES (top left)

"We can certainly improve promotion and I spoke with the USM guys last night (event organisers USM Events) about better exposure in the coming years.

"Next year we will tie in the event with the last week of Carnivale to get booking numbers up and this will boost the shoulder season.

"We have a large number of bookings this week, as some of the athletes are coming to stay in Port Douglas, including Rebekah Keat, who is bringing her family a week's holiday.

"We (TPDD) will really be getting the athletes on side for next year, and if we get 3000 coming to the region, that's a lot of family and friends who will be coming with them."

Mr Ryan said the upcoming television broadcasts of the event will give the region huge exposure, after the weather turned on a picture-perfect representation of Far North Queensland.

"I've seen some of the vision and it looks great," he said. "When it's telecast domestically on the 25th (June) and then goes international to 40 countries, it's going to be a great advertisement for the region."

Do you think Port Douglas embraced Challenge Cairns, or did road closures sour the event?

Editor's Comment: Challenge Cairns represented a great opportunity for Port Douglas to promote itself to the world. I had envisaged the streets being lined with people ala the Tour de France, however even at the turning point in Macrossan Street there was only a handful of people for much of the day.

"Late notice" of road closures are being used as an excuse, but the course was all but finalised in October last year. We reported in the article 'Port to benefit from Challenge' (26 October, 2010) a quote from Mr Ryan saying "The course is 90% finalised. The proposed course will see riders come up the Captain Cook Highway to Old Port Road and into Davidson Steet. They'll turn into Macrossan Street and then left into Wharf Street, do a U turn, and go back down the Captain Cook Highway to Cairns. Riders will do this twice. "

Surely there was enough time to advise residents what was happening, and also to promote the event locally to create enthusiasm. Businesses in Macrossan Street could have offered local specials to entice people into town (which is a leisurely stroll or cycle even if you live in Port Gardens).

Although this is only the event's first year, the atmosphere did not do much for the town. USM Events (the Challenge Cairns organisers) did their bit, but whose responsibility was it to make sure Port Douglas presented itself well? Council? TPDD? Chamber of Commerce? Residents? If six months is too short a time to get ourselves ready for an event of this magnitude maybe we don't deserve another opportunity.

I only hope we get the chance to redeem ourselves.

Have your say!

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steve , 16-06-11 16:50:

let's start and finish it in Port then. That will keep the people in town and we'll all benefit here. If it stays in cairns then we are just marginal

Rod Roberts, 16-06-11 16:05:

From Geelong we saw up close the World Cycling Championships last year and what a huge event it was for the region. Accomodation was booked out for 150kg around Geelong and the crowd for the final was huge (despite what the knockers said) - being in Port for the Triathlon/ Mountain bike Challenge and in Cairns for the Iron Man it is so evident that with more promotion it could bring 1000's more to the region - every Triathlete I know will want to do it next year and they all bring their support / families / friends. Bring it on...go for it, turn it into a festival, promote the heck out of it!

Mayor Val Schier, 16-06-11 11:56:

Some people seem to be unaware that the Council, as well as the State government through Events Qld were pleased to put significant dollars into this event and the Adventure Festival. I know some people are taking a broader look at it. Carnivale brought lots of people to Port and that morphed into the Adventure Festival on Sunday 29th May with the RRR mountain bike race, the outriggers canoes and the Coral Coast Triathlon all finishing spectacularly on Four Mile Beach. Many of the triathletes then stayed on for the Challenge event the following Sunday. People reported to me that their 29 May takings were the best of the year. Let's build on that: the mountain bikers want to extend to 3 days, there was a cap on outrigger canoes this year and that's expected to massively increase in 2012 and there's a belief that the numbers for the Coral Coast and Challenge Cairns may double. All good for Port and the region. And the Surf Life Saving Club will be ready with more food and drinks next year; what an opportunity to make significant dollars to keep their wonderful club going.

Toni Bennett, 09-06-11 15:08:

It is not every day we have the opportunity to see world class athletes riding through or town. Well done to the organising committee and more to the point - what an awesome job the competitors did to even attempt such a challenge.

Gavin Hardy, 09-06-11 14:55:

Interesting to see the Winner of Challenge Cairns, Chris McCormack tweet, which read…. "@ChallengeCairns must do event. Not another race on earth with such an amazing backdrop for a course. Only event that comes close is Monaco".. this went out to his 20,000 Twitter followers.

Oh, and his book "I'm Hear to Win", just made No.1 on the Australian Best Seller list. So I'm guessing he's popular.

I think this is going to be good for the region…. don't you? Although we could just stick to spruking about how Clinton visited here once… we still have a few faded old photos around we can use.

Frank Frikker, 08-06-11 22:19:

It is a bit sad that there weren't many people cheering and supporting the sport freaks while riding through Port Douglas. Is Port too busy winging? Yes, the Highway was closed and that wasn't too good for many but why not then make the best out of it and make it memorable day for all. Friends in Cairns reported about people bringing chairs, food and drinks and having a party like atmosphere. There were athletes staying at local hotels. They even booked into our spa for a massage. Isn't the goal of Port Douglas to make visitor have a great time? All these athletes falling in love with the region, returning one day with more time and bringing their families and friends - isn't that what we all are hoping for?

Michelle Adams, 08-06-11 17:51:

These are fantastic positive comments about a tourism opportunity that has been handed to us on a platter. Cities all around the world are known for different events and when Cairns tried to organize something we could be identified by, the best they could come up with was a ukulele festival. This event is on par with the best and if we can all embrace it, we could make it a time of year businesses and locals can be confident our region will flourish.

Gavin Hardy, 08-06-11 17:39:

Firstly, I have to say I reckon we should have a no-car day in Port more often.. the peace and quiet was incredibly relaxing. My young family and I could virtually cruise the streets on our bikes in absolute safety with no fear of a distracted driver wiping us out. BLISS!!!

We were out there cheering! We set up camp and had a ball. What a fantastic vibe and the competitors absolutely loved it. Giving the kids Hi-Fives as they whooshed past. So exciting!

Unfortunately, I was extremely embarrassed by the lack of crowds and support in my home town. If we could clap and cheer as loud as some of us winge… the atmosphere would have been electric!

Toni , 08-06-11 17:19:

Now we know how it works and what the problems are I'm sure we can be better organised next time.

LynDesign/Fun Stuff+by+Lynda Miller, 08-06-11 16:34:

Thanks to everyone involved!!

All we can say is *BRING IT ON*

guy besley, 08-06-11 11:17:

OMG, am I reading positive comments from people in Port Douglas. That is a fantastic change! Yes, USM did thier bit and hopefully Port business can use the challenge Cairns as a stepping stone, but dont forget we had 900 competitors the week before in the Coral Coast, Hekili paddle and the RRR. Bring it on! And great to hear positive comments for a pleasant change. Remember people, we are a mirror and what vibe we give off to our tourists is what vibe they take home. Stay positive!

Will DEVLIN, 07-06-11 13:13:

Before I start, I have to say "I am not 'in business' in Port Douglas" therefore I don't speak from a business-person's view point. That said, it's my view that the event was a great promo for Cairns and the entire 'far north'. The weather was perfect, the competitors apparently impressed by the ride and the scenery and the (limited) welcome they enjoyed. I can only reinforce Mike T's sentiment and those of the people interviewed on the day, and that is to say, "bring it on" and it'll be even better in 2012. Remember, every competitor represents something like 10 nights' booked accommodation, as well as meals in cafes, hotels and restaurants as well as souvenirs bought and great promotion during the northern hemisphere's winter/spring shoulder and Australia's 'dead of winter'. Port Douglas residents and businesses alike need to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to grow an event from small to enormous and reap the benefits in the medium- to longer-term. Anyway, that's my view!

Mike T , 07-06-11 12:01:

Absolutley brilliant,well done usm and to challenge group for bringing the event to us .The free marketing for Far North Queensland and Port Douglas in it's time of need should be warmly welcomed by all.The spin off will come and all will benefit.Small business have not had to put their hand in their pocket for one cent of this marketing just one quiet day of trade on Sunday.Myself and my family got involved and helped man a drink station and had a blast seeing the action close up and cheering on the hard working ambassadors(aka competitors) for the far north, if they feel welcome they will tell their friends and more will come.Get involved Port, don't just sit back and whinge or we may lose this event to somewhere else.Bring it on, time to diversify and grow and we have had it handed to us... now we need to start running...and swimming ...and cycling.