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Convention & Incentive Marketing Magazine - October
2001
Cairns
Riding Crest of a Wave
Cairns is riding the crest of a wave of confidence as the tropical
city and its environs continue to offer a high level of sophisticated
facilities and professional services that surprise C&I visitors.
From Cairns where the Cairns Convention Centre is a major facility,
to Palm Cove and further up the coast to Port Douglas, five-star
hotels, new resorts with spas and golf courses, and eco-loges are
springing up to cater for incentive groups, events, functions, exhibitions,
meetings and conferences.
The appeal of the region comes from its combination of climate,
magnificent natural beauty, infrastructure and services available
all year. Cairns & Region Convention Bureau manager, Liz
Bindon-Bonney said: “The professionalism of the region and
its ability to host business events is proven, it is the atmosphere
of the region that really makes these events special. The
destination captures the imagination, encourages relaxation and
rejuvenation and provides an element of romance”.
“The aspirational appeal lends to growth in delegate numbers particularly
in the association market. Delegates are encouraged to travel
with families and stay longer and the bureau works with clients
to achieve that end”.
The Cairns & Great Barrier Reef region attracted over $41 million
with of convention and incentive business during the 2000/2001 financial
year, thanks to a collective approach by the region’s industry.
Industry figures show that hotel occupancy growth was up 5.9 per
cent in the first half of 2001, compared to 2000, which yield was
up 7 per cent.
Cairns, the region’s capital, is a
cosmopolitan city balancing the classic charm of a relaxed tropical
lifestyle with the sophistication of a modern city. The state-of-the-art
Cairns Convention Centre is a purpose-built facility that opened
in July 1996 that offers a wide range of options and venues for
the conference organiser. Since opening, the centre has hosted
more than 250 events, including 65 national and international conventions.
Stage Two incorporates $28.5 million of extension, and the new hall
can accommodate
Aside from the wide choice of hotels and resorts with extensive
meeting facilities, Tropical North Queensland boasts some of the
most unique and novel attractions ever developed in this country.
A spectacular 7km aerial rainforest cableway voted Australia’s premier
tourist attraction glides visitors across the rainforest canopy
along the world’s longest gondola cableway to Kuranda. Next
door, the mulit-award winning Tjapukai Aboriginal cultural park
invites guests into a $10 million theatrical extravaganza showcasing
the beauty, majesty and mystery of the ancient culture.
Other attractions and tours include: exploring the outlying
reefs and islands of the Great Barrier Reef in a myriad of ways,
from exclusive yacht charters to helicopters and magnificent wave-piercing
catamarans. Rainforest interpretive experiences can be arranged
for any situation, from 4WD safaris into national parks to imaginatively
themed dinners set amidst the rainforest at night.
October 2001
For More Information:
Geoff Donaghy
Managing Director
Cairns Convention Centre
Telephone: 07-4042 4200
Facsimile: 07-4052 1152
Email:
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