Friday 18 February 2011

The Viewpoint - Think left of centre for bright ideas

: Sharing ideas and collaboration is the way forward.

by Fraser Davies

It is no secret that Port Douglas is a beautiful place with wonderful, friendly people to match. It has been a favourite destination on the map of Australia for many years with many Australians and International guests choosing to visit year after year.

I spent 12 wonderful years in the town working on the coal face of the tourism industry and one thing that did catch my eye was the lack of change or any change that did occur was at a pace that would have been overtaken by a snail with racing stripes.

I spent six years working in the hospitality industry working at one of the town's favourite restaurants, not to name it but being a beautiful white Queenslander, lovely courtyard with a stunning waterfall and brilliant chefs and floor staff to match (few hints there).

The next six years I was working for a Reef operator in an International Sales role (larger reef operator with boats to suit all markets and clientele).

The reason I am writing this piece is to voice my opinion on a question that was asked in The Newsport regarding what Port Douglas needs to do in these times that are challenging to say the least.

Port has for many years believed it is the best tourism destination in Australia and while that may well be true, it must realise that there are many more amazing destinations in this country and abroad that are in the same league and are far more affordable.

For a destination like Port Douglas to evolve and continue to strive it needs to 'change things up a bit'. A wise man once told me that the 'definition of insanity' is to do the same things over and over and expect a different result.

My comments or opinions may 'ruffle a few feathers' or spark some backlash but I hope it at least generates some much needed discussions. Development is a fact of life in tourism and those who continue to object are only stunting the growth of the tourism industry in the area.

In all of my trips over to NZ, USA and Canada visiting travel wholesalers and interacting with potential travellers the one common comment was the fact that the beach was basically unswimmble for six to eight months of the year.

This is a major issue and being a warm climate people want more than the small resort pool to swim in. Airlie Beach and Cairns recognised this was a must to keep tourists in the towns for longer. Port needs to follow this lead and get this done!

There have been many discussions on this idea but still there is nothing complete. It needed to happen five years ago. People who have an area to swim, relax and take in the gorgeous views Port has to offer will stay longer. And people who stay longer, eat, drink, shop - everyone benefits!

The Reef and the Rainforest will continue to be the big 'twins' who are the major draw cards but it is a fact the town needs more.

Tourism bodies need to continue to promote the destination by visiting the major suppliers but they also need to have a look at what other tourism bodies are doing for some 'fresh ideas'.

It is times like now that are going to be tough for all and more group discussions amongst operators need to occur with less 'us against them' mentalities. Many ideas formulated together sometimes bring out the ideas that may seem 'left of centre' but can often be the best.

I have a great love for the area and the people of Port Douglas and know that the tourism industry is in for more challenging times, but debates, discussion, and grand ideas will show results.

Have your say!

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Gayle Groos, 26-02-11 12:58:

I agree with Julie Robertson in her comment of 24.02.11, 11:28. Big developers can take away the character of places. For example, Coconut Grove in Port Douglas. If you want big shiny shops stay in your own city!

Angela Wilcox, 25-02-11 11:26:

and this misinformation being put out by media needs to get stomped on big time. Get that publicity machine out, dust it off and get it going !

Angela Wilcox, 25-02-11 11:24:

Good on you Fraser, have missed your face.

PD, the tried and true is obviously not the way anymore.

You do need the lagoon pool. Decide where to put it and get it done pronto, before it's too late if not already.

More and more businesses are going to the wall.

This accommodation discounting is not the way. Find you niche market again and work on it, market the hell out of it. Get on it !

There's cancellation policies in place, use them and adhere to them, as this also makes us look weak to agents. Agents already are dictating too much, this never happend before the panic discounting, which is not working people, you are just lowering your bottom line.

The big hotels need to learn from the backpacker businesses. You don't see them discounting their rates, yes they do packages for longer stays but doesn't that make sense. Longer stays have a flow on effect for everyone, obviously. It's not rocket science, is it folks ?

Stop draging your feet people, or we won't have a tourism/hospitality industry left, reall soon now !!

Wake up, or all our businesses will die.

Julie Robertson, 24-02-11 22:50:

Well said Grant, I couldn't agree more.

philip dalziel, 24-02-11 18:49:

dont get me started Fraser ,all Port Douglas does is drain the life out of everyone ,what happens when you put your hand in a bucket of water and swirl it around ?? lots of swirling but take your hand out and everything is the same ,put all the lipstick you like on a pig but its still a pig ,there is no solution people ,you are too far away and you are no longer attractive (like me) you have become invisible ,stop telling everyone how great you used to be ,your restaurants are crap and overpriced and so up themselves ,you have no hospitality skills ,go back to quaint fishing village ,you have danced in the sunshine for the last time and Airlie has better coral anyway

Toni McNamara, 24-02-11 18:21:

I think the redevelopment of the whole waterfront is going to be more valuable for locals and visitors than just the pool. Building the pool first and on the waterfront will delay by many years the rest of the plan and compromise the wonderful view and the open green space which everyone can own and use for themselves, with absolute access to the edge of the water. There are other sites for a pool, lagoon or other design, where it could be funded as a stand alone entity, just for splashing around or to earn its expensive maintenance by providing for water sports as well. My visitors tell me we are as beautiful, restful and remedial as ever we just need the civic equivalent of 'a fresh coat of paint' and 'don't grow any bigger'!

Tony Wakefield, 24-02-11 15:56:

As a holiday visitor for 10 years and now own a unit in Port Douglas. I see the opportunity to highlight PD as a good central touring location. Encourage tourists to not only come in on a coach tour or visit for 2 days. But stop a while, hire a car and see some of the places at a leisure pace. The organised tours are good but with some you just wish you did not have to get back on the coach so quick. As an example "Mossman Gorge" The long walk (the best bit) in rain forest is skipped by most tour operators. Push the tours for a first time visitor they give you a good feel, but sell the "linger longer, hire a car". Provide maps & guides.
Advise visitors that they need to stop in area for at least 7-10 days, push the Sunday Market in PD. Look at a Night Market as this is a great pull in Cairns.
Push the point that PD area is for all not just the rich as this is how it comes across to nearly everyone I speak to down south!
Us oldies (Grey Nomads) have found out that it's a great place to relax, as you know half of Victoria descends on town during the winter months, but we have to keep mum as there is a big shortage of Caravan sites in area.

Finally to all the Holiday Lets stop this stupid discounting as you all loose out. I was happy to pay $140/night in Palm Cove 12 years ago for a double room with pool access. So why price cut down and down there is a reasonable price to charge for basic accommodation to give a net return. Times are tough but the tourists will expect the prices to stay at stupid levels if you insist with the price cuts. Give them a deal that matures next time they visit i.e. a discount on a return trip or allow them to pass on the voucher to a friend so they get the discount?

See you on 4 meter beach, no on second thoughts that's my secret place :)

Looking forward to my next trip!

Mick &+Sue Whalen, 24-02-11 14:37:

We are relatively new to Port and like a lot of business owners moved after spending many lovely holidays here and falling in love with the place. We understood that at the time of buying into our business here things were going to be a bit tough the GFC, the high Aussie dollar ,lack of cheap flights into Cairns all make for a lot less traffic. We don't pretend to be experts on the subject but have seen first hand the difference a change like a lagoon can make to a tourist destination. If the lagoon/pool area was built with the environment in mind, providing a safe enjoyable place for not only tourists but locals to use wouldn't that only benefit all the people of Port Douglas?

Julie Robertson , 24-02-11 11:38:

The media has a lot to do with our lack of bookings.. always reporting that we are either flooded, wiped out by a cyclone , etc how about some responsible journalism!

Julie Robertson, 24-02-11 11:28:

Give us a break guys.. do we want to be part of the mob and have a Lagoon. Port was doing amazing well before it was overdeveloped and had lots of natural charm. No one complained about the lack of a lagoon in Port at all as they were too busy enjoying themselves doing touristy things. We had lots of great restaurants with charm and a great music scene (which was knocked on the head by overdevelopment above the main street. I for one do not want Port to look like the rest of the towns in FNQ please ... lets have some individuality.

Grant Knight, 24-02-11 10:05:

This may seem a little too much for Port Douglas, but why follow Cairns and Airlie with their lagoons. Port needs something to keep whole families entertained. Ask Darwin residents what their favourite place is, and I am sure that a lot will come back with the wave pool.

Leave Stinger Park as is. It is a great place to watch the boats come in. Reynolds park is just a big empty space at the moment. How about place the wave pool in there, outdoor cafe, beautiful landscaping and a few free BBQ's? Expensive, yes. But what a great asset it would be, and it would be a step ahead of the other destinations, not a case of follow the leader.

Marie Bell , 24-02-11 09:35:

We visited Dunk to get married and wedding anniversary 5 years later. We stayed on both occasions at Hibiscus Gardens and love Port Douglas and would love to live there.......but thats with our "holiday sunhat on"

Susie Hynes , 24-02-11 09:34:

QUESTION THE GREEDY LANDLORDS - WHO DON'T EVEN LIVE THERE

Monique Leman , 24-02-11 09:33:

Good on you Fraser.. A great conversation starter.. Since moving back down south I have had loads of conversation about Port .. Mostly I hear these comments .. excellent but way over priced .. Restaurants serve great food but service is av...erage and sometimes shocking .. Trips to the reef and rainforest are way to expensive .. Accommodation in many places is old and tried.. And mostly they wouldn't go back but would travel to Asia which offers all this at half the price, with better service and accommodation...Beach very disappointing ..
Why not turn stinger park back into what it was.. a place for locals and tourist to use in those 6 months that the beach is closed.
I seem to be always defending Port .. Something I find strange as I do love it and the people but see the point that changes need to be made to compete in this day and age with so many more destinations available .. Monique

Anthony Verburgt, 23-02-11 23:26:

I think Fraser is correct, something does need to be done, and needs to be done immediately. Port Douglas needs a lagoon, and so much more to create exciting new opportunitys and employment for a tourism town that seems to be doing a back-slide.
One of many other things that needs serious work is Carnivale. We are essentially a waterfront/harbour/fishing town, and it would seem that a parade based on the main street is out of place. Perhaps we could move the parade or the fireworks more towards the marina or the waterfront, and do something more exciting than a circus and a sideshow.