1 May 08

NEWS - EVENTS - TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES - TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHEIVEMENTS - ON THE MOVE - SEEN IN THE MEDIA - GOOD NEWS STORIES

NEWS

SUCCESSFUL FIRST NORTH JOHNSTONE RAFTING EXPEDITION OF THE SEASON

RnR White Water Rafting's adventurous North Johnstone River Expedition got off to a roaring start to its 2008 season over the Easter Holiday long weekend in North Queensland.

Ten customers and eight guides participated in this action-packed experience, with an exhilarating helicopter ride in, four days rafting through gigantic rapids, and three nights camping in riverside rainforest clearings.

The North Johnstone Expedition is rated in the Top 10 wilderness adventures in the world, with limited seasonal departures between March and July.

CALYPSO REEF CHARTERS UNVEILS EXCITING MERGE
Calypso Reef Charters in Port Douglas are very excited to announce the acquisition of De Luxe Safaris and the re-launch of Trail Blazers. Calypso, Pure Dive, De Luxe Safaris and Trail Blazers will now be recognised under the Tropical Journeys banner.

De Luxe Safaris travels daily from Port Douglas to the World Heritage Daintree and Cape Tribulation rainforest offering guests a personalised experience into a timeless World. Trail Blazers was established in the 80’s and created many of the destinations that are so popular today. Trail Blazers will now offer guests a more affordable way of exploring the Daintree and Cape Tribulation Rainforests.

NEW HEALTH WEBSITE HELPS TOURISM ORGANISATIONS
Queensland Health has developed a new health website for managers and staff in the tourist industry. The site Good Health in Tropical North Queensland is designed to help tourist organisations to manage their own public health risk. It has information on health topics including food hygiene, tobacco laws, disease control, disaster management, and guest and staff health. Topics are arranged alphabetically or according to occupational groups (eg. housekeeping, F&B, front office).

Public health risk management is a key strategy in keeping visitors and staff happy and healthy - and that makes good business sense.

Check out the site at: www.health.qld.gov.au/goodhealthintnq

DEEP SEA DIVERS DEN ACQUIRES TAKA DIVE ADVENTURES

Deep Sea Divers Den is proud to announce their acquisition of Taka Dive Adventures.

The acquisition of Taka Dive Adventures will greatly compliment the company and their current vessels. Taka operates to remote regions of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, offering adventure diving with the giant Potato Cod at the Cod Hole and visiting some truly amazing sites up and down the Ribbons Reefs, located within the Heritage-Listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The diving in the crystal clear waters of Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea is a diver’s dream with 30 plus visibility, superb drop-offs and adrenalin shark action. Click here for more information.

OLIVERS RESTAURANT SERVES UP GLOBAL WEBSITE
Oliver’s Restaurant is pleased to announce the launch of their website now in seven different languages. These include: English, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Russian and Spanish. To see these for yourself, go to: www.australianfinecuisine.com.au

KEWARRA BEACH HAS NEW LOOK AND OWNERSHIP

Under Sean Howard’s newly acquired ownership of Kewarra Beach Resort the tropical tranquility that Kewarra has always been renowned for will continue.

Refreshing new soft furnishings, enhanced fixtures and in room amenities including new flat screen televisions, DVD/CD players, quiet efficient air conditioning, complimentary in room high speed internet access, along with environmentally sensitive lighting are some of the lovely upgrades that are being incorporated into what is already a truly remarkable and well established tropical experience. Click here for more information.

CAIRNS REGION BUSINESSES URGED TO SLASH WATER USE

Cairns Regional Council is offering local businesses a financial incentive to save water through the Queensland Government’s Business Water Efficiency Program (BWEP).

Cairns Regional Council Mayor, Val Schier said $15 million was up for grabs to help regional Queensland businesses implement water efficiency projects – from replacing toilet suites, tapware and showerheads with water efficient models to installing waterless technologies and recycling systems.

“Saving water is smart business – there is an immediate improvement in the bottom line and long-term benefits for the whole community,” the Mayor said.

“The Cairns region does receive high rainfall in the wet season but this does not mean our water supplies are unlimited. It is important that we all take action now to safeguard this precious resource.”

The target for the Cairns region is to reduce business water use by 1 million litres per day by March 2009. Click here for more information.

• Mayor Val Schier
• Alan Brown, Regional Coordinator, Business Water Efficiency Program
• Bruce Gardiner, General Manager Cairns Regional Water & Waste
• David Rose, Acting CEO, TTNQ

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EVENTS

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF BACKPACKERS
Scotty`s Beach House Backpackers Resort celebrates it`s 20th year of operation this week (May 9th), having opened on May 5th 1988. It was purposely built by the Scott family (James and Libby and sons Hugh and Boyd ) as a result of an early sea-change whim: James, Libby and Hugh selling their Victorian Real Estate business and family home to move North and buy land in Wongaling Beach, Mission Beach, in 1987 to build a “backpacker`s resort”.

To celebrate, TNQ Industry are invited to dress up in 80's gear and head down to Scotty's Beach House Mission Beach for dinner & drinks from 7.00pm on Friday, 9th May. Please RSVP to Boyd Scott on (07) 4068 8676 or email boyd@scottysbeachhouse.com.au

REEF AND RAINFOREST CARNIVALE
'Get out your dancing boots!' is the tip for the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale's premier gourmet event, Quicksilver's Food, Wine & A Taste of Port. Australia's country darlings, The McClymonts, are winging their way to Port Douglas to headline the May 3 festivities, which will deliver six hours of continuous stage entertainment and an array of dishes prepared by 10 of the region's best restaurants. Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree and Cape Tribulation townships come alive for the Reef and Rainforest Carnivale from May 23 to June 1 with 80 restaurants on standby to showcase their talents. Events include the Hahn Super Dry Gourmet Gladiators cook off with chefs from the region's premier restaurants participating with local celebrities in a four night competition, the Lotsa Printing Longest Lunch and the famous Marina Mirage Seafood Extravaganza.
More information: +61 7 4099 4308,
www.carnivale.com.au

QUICKSILVER FOOD, WINE & A TASTE OF PORT

A stellar line up of local chefs are producing regional cuisine for this year’s premier gourmet event, the Quicksilver’s Food, Wine & A Taste of Port.

New to the event and to Macrossan Street is Spencer Patrick of Harrison’s Restaurant. A Michelin-starred chef himself who gained this famed culinary badge as head chef at the Cafe Royal Grill Room in London, Spencer will bring his modern French/Londonesque cuisine style to the event. Click here for the news release or for the event brief.

SKAL RACE DAY SET FOR 28 JUNE

The Skål International Cairns Travel & Tourism Race Day again this year to the membership through your communications channels. The date has been set for Saturday 28th June. For more information, contact Murray Worthington on 07 4055-3773

2008 JCU TOURISM SYMPOSIUM: Chaos to clarity: the role of small to medium-sized tourism firms in a mature market.
The symposium is designed for small business practitioners, professionals and researchers. Keynote speakers are drawn from the tourism and hospitality SME sector, government, education and peak industry associations. Delegates will therefore have immediate access to expert advice, commentary and cutting edge research findings with direct significance to regional firms. Click here for more information.

It will be held on Friday 31st October 2008 Shangri-La Hotel, Cairns

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TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

TTT OFFERS SUCCESSFUL TOURISM DISTRIBUTION SEMINAR

Tropical Tablelands Tourism has invited Don Jolly, a respected tourism business consultant, to present a half day seminar covering global distribution, strategies, sales, cultural differences, global negotations and customer service. Mr Jolly has more than 20 years’ tourism experience in sales, marketing and management roles in the international corporate arena with organisations such as Tourism Queensland and the leading Asian tourism group, Tour East (a division of Qantas Holidays).

Chairman of TTT, Ian MacLaughlin, said the seminar was designed to stimulate tourism operators in identifying issues to improve distribution via the global tourism networks.

“Developing an understanding of the global tourism distribution networks is essential to our region’s operators who wish to move into the international arena,” said Mr MacLaughlin. “Don Jolly’s background includes extensive market and management experience coupled with academic qualifications. His presentation will serve as a powerful catylist in arming our members to delve into this important aspect of their tourism businesses,” said Mr MacLaughlin.

The TTT-sponsored professional development workshop will be held from 9.00am until 1.00pm on May 16th at the Atherton Rainforest Motor Inn and includes the chance to win a year’s membership of TTT (worth $420) in a business card draw.

Costs are $15 per person for Tropical Tablelands Tourism members and $20 for non-members. For more information on TTT’s Distribution Success in Tourism seminar, tel: 07 4096 7405 or email office@athertontablelands.org.au

GOING GREEN WORKSHOPS

Kleinhardt is proud to announce that our series of Going Green Workshops will commence in May after our extremely successful launch in April in Townsville and Cairns!

This program provides a fantastic opportunity for all small businesses to save their business money and reduce their carbon footprint. If possible could you please notify your members or any interested small to medium businesses about these workshops.

Please see the attached flyer for additional details on the program and workshop locations and times.

Interested participants should register via www.goinggreenbiz.com to ensure their place at these workshops.

For additional information please call 07 4040 7100.

RESEARCH & INSIGHTS FORUM
TTNQ and James Cook University will be hosting a Research & Insights Forum on the morning of Thursday 15 May 2008, to be held at the Sofitel Reef Casino in the Michaelmas Cay Ballroom with presentations from TTNQ on the latest IVS and NVS releases (YEDec07), JCU will be presenting on results from the last 12 months of surveys they have undertaken in the region, along with a presentation on Food & Wine Tourism. Click here for registration information.

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OPPORTUNITIES

TOURISM ASSISTANCE DATABASE (TAD) - A GATEWAY TO GRANTS
The Tourism Assistance Database (TAD) provides information on available funding programs and sources of information on on relevant funding programs and grants for the tourism industry, and advice, hints and tips on submitting a funding application.

For details on funding programs and grants available, better business information and hints and tips on submission writing, visit Tourism Assistance Database (TAD) located on Tourism Queensland’s corporate website at www.tq.com.au/tad

SEEKING CAIRNS MISS SHOW GIRL 2008!
Cairns Show Association is now calling nominations for the Miss Show Girl Awards. From today, the search is on for Miss Show Girl 2008! Fabulous prizes are on offer with the major prize being return trip to Hong Kong. Young ladies 18years and under 26years, single, living in Queensland, lots of personality and some general knowledge about the Show are eligible to enter.

The Miss Showgirl Awards are not a ‘beauty contest’ - the focus is on young ladies wanting to boost their self esteem and confidence. It really is a great opportunity to network, meet new people, business representatives and dignitaries. Judges this year are looking for girls that have an engaging personality, charm and a strong sense of community spirit. Click here for more information.

SES WANTS YOU!

The State Emergency Service are currently undertaking a recruitment drive for Volunteers. Please distribute this important information to your networks.

The SES Volunteers do a fantastic job in the community so let's do our bit and get the message out there! Click here for more information.

SAVANNAH WAY TRAVELLER SURVEY REPORT
In 2007, a survey of travellers along the Savannah Way was delivered under a project managed by Gulf Savannah Development (GSD). The report summarizing the results of the survey is now available. The Savannah Way is recognised as one of Australia’s premier adventure drive touring routes, stretching from Cairns to Broome, via the Gulf Savannah. The report is valuable reading for anyone with a stake in the tourism industry.

The Hotel, Motel and Accommodation Association (HMAA), the peak body for the Australian Accommodation Industry, has opened nominations for its Accommodation Industry Awards for Excellence 2008. The cream of the Queensland Accommodation Industry will be recognised and awarded on Friday, 1 August 2008 at the Royal on the Park Hotel, Brisbane. Click here to read more.

WORLD HERITAGE PHOTO COMPETITION
In conjunction with celebrations, Skyrail is hosting a World Heritage Photo Competition from May to October this year.

Open to all who visit the Barron Gorge National Park on Skyrail during the competition, entrants have the chance to win Skyrail and WTMA merchandise, as well as the grand prize of a Kodak digital camera and photo printer.

Skyrail General Manager, Max Shepherd, encouraged everyone to embrace the World Heritage celebrations and enter the competition.

“Australia’s Wet Tropics Rainforests are an area of exceptional natural beauty, the best way to experience them is by visiting,” Mr Shepherd said.

“Skyrail’s World Heritage Photo Competition encourages people to join the celebrations of the 20 year World Heritage listing milestone, whilst experiencing one of the great natural wonders of Cairns, Australia and the world,” he said.

“Entries should celebrate the biodiversity of this unique environment and will be shared with others in 2009, through a unique, commemorative calendar.”

To enter, guests should take a photo during their Skyrail experience which portrays what World Heritage listing means to them.

Photos should represent the aesthetic, natural or cultural values of World Heritage and the Barron Gorge National Park.

Entries will be judged by a panel with representatives from Skyrail, WTMA and Kodak.

For more information and a complete list of terms and conditions, please visit: www.skyrail.com.au/whphotos or www.skyrail.com.au/jp/whphotos

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TTNQ APPLAUDS ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to:

C’est Bon – State Finalist I love food awards
Silver Series achieves Advanced Ecotourism Certification.

Silver Series, the Quicksilver Group’s specialty dive and snorkel brand has been awarded Advanced Ecotourism Certification. The Silver Series is a two boat operation featuring the Cairns-based Silverswift and Port Douglas-based Silversonic, both custom-designed 29m dive and snorkel catamarans.

Following the recent news of Pro Dive Cairns’ Ecotourism Certification, this now means that all of the Quicksilver Group’s products have advanced ecotourism accreditation.

• Quicksilver Outer Reef Cruises
•  Great Adventures Outer Reef & Green Island Cruises
•  Wavedancer Low Isles
•  Silver Series
• Green Island Resort
•  Reef Biosearch

The 2008 PADI Asia Pacific Region Member Awards were held in Singapore last Friday
(18/4/08).

Pro Dive Cairns were very pleased to have received the most prestigious award of the night being the Outstanding Business Award (Dive Centre/Resort).
This highly contested award recognises outstanding business performance, initiatives and achievements across all areas of business operation. Click here for more information.

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ON THE MOVE

Rydges Esplanade Resort announces the appointment of Food and Beverage Manager, Chris Chaffe.
John Crank, John Forde and John Wilson took up their posts at Rydges Tradewinds Cairns this month, in the respective positions of Executive Chef, Conference and Catering Sales Manager and Food and Beverage Manager.
As a testament of their confidence in the European market, Parker Travel Collection's Managing Director Todd Parker, has announced the signing of Ms Maria Haglund.
Rachita Wijemanne is the new Marketing Manager at Q Resorts
Angie Matveyeff – new Mission Beach VIC Manager
General Manager of Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park David Brook has appointed Sharon Kennedy as Tjapukai’s new Sales Executive - Conference and Incentives.

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SEEN IN THE MEDIA

Creative Director of Tjapukai, David Hudson, performed the blessing ceremony with his didgeridoo at the V Australia Airlines launch in Los Angeles earlier this month. Recognised as Australia’s leading didgeridoo player and a
brought power and uniqueness to his performance.
Craig Squire of Ochre Restaurant and Catering will feature on the cover of this year’s Cairns White & Yellow Pages – selecting fresh produce from Rusty’s Markets.
Tourism Australia has produced a new Touring Routes book, which features the The Savannah Way drive holiday, starting in Tropical North Queensland. You can see it on page 14 of the following: http://www.tourism.australia.com/content/aussie_experiences/2008/Touring%20Routes%20Australia.pdf
24 April 2008 -- (Media-Newswire.com) - A new study shows that Tropical North Queensland has the potential to be a major global player in the growing area of ‘tropical expertise’.

Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, said the Queensland Government recently commissioned an independent study of the region’s tropical expertise sector.

“This is about building knowledge-based industries in the region – about Cairns and the Far North being part of the Smart State revolution," Ms Boyle said.

“About half the world’s population lives in the tropics so there is a desperate need for knowledge in doing business and living in tropical areas.

“There is no region in the world better equipped or experienced than Cairns and Tropical North Queensland to be an international leader in research and development in the area.

Click here for more information.

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GOOD NEWS STORIES

TTNQ’s Carl Marchant is one of the newest Australians sworn in by new Cairns Regional Council Mayor Val Scheir on Tuesday 29 April. Carl, who was born in New Zealand, celebrated with TTNQ staff as they welcomed him with thongs, singlet, stubbie holder and surflifesaving cap.

“I would have cried but I’m Australian now and we don’t put up with that kinda behaviour. I’m looking forward to having a sicky on Friday …God bless this country!”