Business tourism worth millions to far north economy
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Business tourism is proving to be a boon for the Port Douglas area in far north Queensland, with the Port Douglas and Daintree Tourism Authority estimating the sector is worth about $30 million each year.
Executive director Doug Ryan says business tourism has become more important to the local economy than national or international holiday-makers.
He says a four-day convention last week pumped about $4 million into the economy, while a convention two years ago provided more than $20 million.
Mr Ryan says it is hard attracting business tourism, but Port Douglas has the right mix.
"This business is competed for around the world and there are some amazing places you can go in the world - they put on amazing events - but our particular part of the world is very special because of the two world heritage areas side-by-side, because of the weather and because of the facilities," he said.
"There's probably around about 50 to 60 companies that specialise in business tourism in our region."
Mr Ryan says competition comes from national and international destinations.
"It certainly means we have to compete harder, it means that we're out there on the road pushing harder," he said.
"But I think we've got three things that sell us above anywhere else and that's obviously the Great Barrier Reef and the world heritage rainforest and of course the safety of the destination and that has become very paramount now in most people's minds."
