Published Thursday, 02 August, 2007 at 04:32 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
Cairns Tourism Businesses Secure State Government Funding
The State Government’s financial commitment to the Cairns business community continues this week with the announcement of $200,000 in Cyclone Larry grants to three local operations.
Acting State Development Minister and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said Down Under Tours, Tropical Coast Tourism Inc and The Canecutter Way Group would all benefit from funding designed to help them build more resilient businesses.
“The State Government’s Cyclone Larry grant program was established to specifically address the economic crisis many local firms suffered last year as a result of the cyclone’s devastation,” she said.
“The current roll out of stage two of the funding program will see more than $3 million injected into the region in the coming year.”
Down Under Tours – Cairns - $50,000
Ms Boyle said Down Under Tours would receive $50,000 to develop an Internet online booking system.
“Down Under Tours is an award winning company that has been operating a wide range of tours, charter services and safaris throughout North Queensland and the Northern Territory for 15 years,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Dixon and Robertson families have built the business in that time from a staff of 18 to a staff today of 103 and a fleet of 56 modern luxury vehicles.
“Upgrading its booking system and linking in with partners in the region will help the company increase its profile and offer an even more comprehensive service to clients both nationally and internationally.”
Tropical Coast Tourism – Cairns to Townsville - $100,000
Ms Boyle said Tropical Coast Tourism (TCT), the lead agency representing tourism operators along the Great Green Way between Cairns and Townsville, would receive $100,000 to implement an action plan focussed on recovery.
“The downturn in visitor numbers after Cyclone Larry has meant a loss of revenue to all tourist businesses in the region,” Ms Boyle said.
“A strategic review of local operations undertaken by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council – also supported with Cyclone Larry special funding – has identified that there are a number of ways we can help businesses recover.”
Ms Boyle said TCT would now be in a position to work on improving industry coordination, infrastructure and product development as well as oversee renewed marketing efforts targeting the Great Green Way and boosting local skills.
The Canecutter Way Group – Innisfail to Kurrimine Beach - $50,000
Ms Boyle said $50,000 would contribute to the strengthening of more than 52 tourism related businesses along the Canecutter Way – which follows a 50km route of the old Bruce Highway from Innisfail to Kurrimine Beach.
“The funding will be more than matched by the businesses in the region who will work together to develop a branding strategy and media kit, promotional material and foreign language translations, online booking functionality and a redesigned touring map,” Ms Boyle said.
“The project aims to inject an extra $650,000 to the local economy annually and help to develop seven new businesses to service the expected increase in tourism over the next five years.
“It’s an ambitious project but it has every sign of success given the enthusiasm and commitment of local operators – it’s very encouraging to see how well they have bounced back after Cyclone Larry ready to face the challenges ahead and I’m pleased the State Government has been able to support them.”
Organisation contacts:
Down Under Tours: Mr Gordon Dixon 07 4047 9066
Tropical Coast Tourism: Mr Richard Blanchette 07 4066 2000
The Canecutter Way: Mrs LeeAnn Azzopardi 07 4064 2077
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
August 2, 2007
Acting State Development Minister and Member for Cairns Desley Boyle said Down Under Tours, Tropical Coast Tourism Inc and The Canecutter Way Group would all benefit from funding designed to help them build more resilient businesses.
“The State Government’s Cyclone Larry grant program was established to specifically address the economic crisis many local firms suffered last year as a result of the cyclone’s devastation,” she said.
“The current roll out of stage two of the funding program will see more than $3 million injected into the region in the coming year.”
Down Under Tours – Cairns - $50,000
Ms Boyle said Down Under Tours would receive $50,000 to develop an Internet online booking system.
“Down Under Tours is an award winning company that has been operating a wide range of tours, charter services and safaris throughout North Queensland and the Northern Territory for 15 years,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Dixon and Robertson families have built the business in that time from a staff of 18 to a staff today of 103 and a fleet of 56 modern luxury vehicles.
“Upgrading its booking system and linking in with partners in the region will help the company increase its profile and offer an even more comprehensive service to clients both nationally and internationally.”
Tropical Coast Tourism – Cairns to Townsville - $100,000
Ms Boyle said Tropical Coast Tourism (TCT), the lead agency representing tourism operators along the Great Green Way between Cairns and Townsville, would receive $100,000 to implement an action plan focussed on recovery.
“The downturn in visitor numbers after Cyclone Larry has meant a loss of revenue to all tourist businesses in the region,” Ms Boyle said.
“A strategic review of local operations undertaken by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council – also supported with Cyclone Larry special funding – has identified that there are a number of ways we can help businesses recover.”
Ms Boyle said TCT would now be in a position to work on improving industry coordination, infrastructure and product development as well as oversee renewed marketing efforts targeting the Great Green Way and boosting local skills.
The Canecutter Way Group – Innisfail to Kurrimine Beach - $50,000
Ms Boyle said $50,000 would contribute to the strengthening of more than 52 tourism related businesses along the Canecutter Way – which follows a 50km route of the old Bruce Highway from Innisfail to Kurrimine Beach.
“The funding will be more than matched by the businesses in the region who will work together to develop a branding strategy and media kit, promotional material and foreign language translations, online booking functionality and a redesigned touring map,” Ms Boyle said.
“The project aims to inject an extra $650,000 to the local economy annually and help to develop seven new businesses to service the expected increase in tourism over the next five years.
“It’s an ambitious project but it has every sign of success given the enthusiasm and commitment of local operators – it’s very encouraging to see how well they have bounced back after Cyclone Larry ready to face the challenges ahead and I’m pleased the State Government has been able to support them.”
Organisation contacts:
Down Under Tours: Mr Gordon Dixon 07 4047 9066
Tropical Coast Tourism: Mr Richard Blanchette 07 4066 2000
The Canecutter Way: Mrs LeeAnn Azzopardi 07 4064 2077
Media contact: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784.
August 2, 2007