Monday 19 September 2011

Visitors up, retail down

: The retail sector continues to struggle despite an apparent increase in visitor numbers.

Retail outlets in Port Douglas continue to struggle despite indications visitor numbers have increased, according to Port Douglas Chamber of Commerce board member, Doug Calvert.

Mr Calvert, who himself owns a number of retail outlets in town, said that while a formal survey of local businesses has yet to be undertaken he suspects it has been another tough year for many.

"The fact is that this year is worse than last year.

"My gut feel is that there seems to be more (visitors) around than last year, but as far as their spending in retail, no (it's down).

"It's a tough year, but that's Australia wide, that's world wide. It's a case of making us the best tourist town in Australia, and trying to defend our position in the market place as best we can.

"Things like the waterfront are so important. Any money we can get from anywhere to do anything (is needed)!" he said with a laugh.

Mr Calvert said that despite being relatively unaffected by the severe weather events of earlier in the year, the region has suffered as a consequence.

"Cyclone Yasi was a disaster. It left us in a tourist wasteland until the school holidays came. Provided we don't have that next year, hopefully we'll be in a better position.

Executive Officer for Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree, Doug Ryan, said if occupancy was anything to go by, visitor numbers have increased.

"It's slightly up on last year. Last year was up by 6% on the previous year, so that augers well. Unfortunately it was the first quarter that killed us.

"If you look at July occupancy was around 80%. It softened off about mid-August and the beginning of this month down to around about 70%.

"The prediction is for the school holidays and into October, that many properties, the average will be up around 85%, many properties will be at 100%."

Do you run a local business? Let us know your experience in 2011.

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Debra Brown, 16-05-12 11:08:

Port may be struggling at the moment, like a lot of other places, but one thing is for sure, it WILL recover. It is a unique place and so many people in the world love it. I can't achieve the same level of relaxation anywhere else in the world, there is something about that laid-back tropical way of life. I can feel tension oozing out of every pore when I arrive....
It's a question of riding out the storm, but the place is a precious piece of gold. I do feel for the businesses that are struggling in Port at the moment and elsewhere and hope things pick up very soon.

Tess spark, 23-09-11 19:01:

I agree with Phillip we were up in Port Douglas two weeks ago.I was looking forward to buying some summer pieces of clothing that would be a little different to Sydney.There was nothing exciting in any of the shops. There are so many local Queensland designers out there yet none of these designers are in any boutique in Port.
Nothing over 22.00 shop, Port Douglas does not need it's bad enough seeing Rivers out let store at the beginning of Macrossan St.
Southerners want fashion that they can't buy down south.
Love Port Douglas and will be back every year.

moni , 22-09-11 10:44:

Hi Jacquiline,

This is true however there is a new shop opened in Port Douglas earlier this year called 'Nothing over $22'. It is a fabulous little store with as you can tell by the name very cheap clothing, footwear and jewelery as well as other nick-nacks - there is a huge variety of all these. Hopefully when you are up visiting you will be refreshed with the difference in this store compared to the others as well as enjoying your yearly holiday up at Port Douglas. :)

Jacqueline , 21-09-11 13:19:

We come to Port Douglas nearly every September/October each year . I have been coming to Port since I was a child in the 1970s. We are heading that way in October 2011. This year I am buying alot of clothing near where I live before I get there as last year I was disappointed in what the shops had to offer. Typically it is a designer shop with very overpriced clothing or its a surf or jean shop. I think in 2008 the shops seemed to be getting more interesting with the introduction of the new handbag shop at the top end and the Tommy Bahamas down the other end. Last year Port got Witchery. Great for locals but same old for out of towners. The owners of the shops need to keep in mind that what us Southerners want to spend our money on is things we cant get near where we live. Love Port and hope it prospers in 2011/2012.

philip dalziel, 20-09-11 16:10:

Hey Doug ,I can stand at the airport and give you those figures but what are you doing to interpret them ,meaning why are they coming etc.

Doug Ryan, 20-09-11 09:51:

Hi Keithea, good question. We use several methods to provide us with performance and occupancy of the region. Firstly our own fortnightly survey on current business performance. Secondly we have JCU contracted to survey our region on a monthly basis reported quarterly, this gives us demographics, booking trends, etc. Our third method is a monthly report on occupancy and finally Tourism Research Australias Quarterly reports which are divided between international and domestic visitors and uses airport arrival and ABS statistics. One area we are pursuing is domestic and local day visitor numbers. At this stage vechile movement figures from Dept of Main Roads gives us some insight into these visitors. Hope this helps.

The Newsport Editor , 20-09-11 09:50:

Hi Keithea

I've asked TPDD to comment on your question. Straight from the horse's mouth so to speak. We hope to hear from them shortly.

Editor

Keithea Schaedler, 19-09-11 16:48:

Just asking - where do the Tourism Port Douglas and Daintree accommodation occupancy figures come from, or how are they calculated? Not disputing, just seeking clarification!