Cairns + Region Convention Bureau Outlines New Products During Sydney Update

Sydney’s winter blues were temporarily forgotten late last week during a Change Your Latitude Lunch and Product Update organised by the Cairns + Region Convention Bureau.

Travel industry partners and media attending the informative event in the Aria Restaurant were given a detailed briefing about new infrastructure in the region by a team of senior executives from the bureau including Rob Giason, Chief Executive Officer, Angela Uhlig, Director of Sales and Marketing, Karen Shaw, Business Events Co-ordinator and Johanne Flynn, Sales Liaison Executive.

One of the biggest projects in Tropical North Queensland is the $200 million Cairns Domestic Terminal Redevelopment which will offer increased capacity, state-of-the-art passenger handling technology, five modern air bridges catering for new aircraft types and improved aircraft access.

The “new gateway to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef Region” is expected by be completed by the end of 2009.

Meanwhile, a number of new hotel developments are underway or have just been completed.

The Cairns International Hotel is undergoing a $3 million soft refurbishment of its lobby, Cafe Coco, the Lobby Bar and Port Cochere with a “new look that showcase brilliant colours to encapsulate contemporary tropical tones”.

The hotel’s purpose built spa – the largest in North Queensland – won the 2007 Li’Tya Best Facility Award.

[Pictured right – Participating in the Cairn + Region Update were, from left: Johanne Flynn, Sales Liaison Executive, Karen Shaw, Business Events Co-ordinator, Angela Uhlig, Director of Sales and Marketing and Rob Giason, Chief Executive Officer]

The Cairns Colonial Club Resort will complete its extensive $5 million refurbishment of 345 resort rooms by the end of next month. 

The $6 million renovation project at the Novotel Cairns Oasis Resort was completed last month.  All 314 guest rooms have received a total makeover from natural toned soft furnishings to the installation of flat screen TVs.

The recent upgrade of the Novotel Rockford Palm Cove Conference and Function Centre included a major interior refurbishment and the latest in audio visual equipment.

The Rydges Sabaya Resort Port Douglas has recently reopened after being completely redeveloped.  The resort now offers 192 resort rooms and apartments as well as five conference rooms suitable for up to 350 delegates.

The next property to open in the region is the 4½ star Paradise Palms Resort.  The 96 studio rooms and apartments are set for a December ribbon cutting.

The newest attraction and conference venue to open in the region is the Blue Sky Brewery.  Due for a July 1 launch, the brewery in central Cairns has a main bar, restaurant and function rooms for 400 guests.

Cairns received some 2 ½ million visitors last year.  Their expenditure exceeded $2.5 billion.

This year is looking to exceed those figures and one way to do this is for agents and operators to have first-hand knowledge of the destination, said Karen Shaw.

The Cairns + Region Convention Bureau is keen to hear from travel industry staff and management and professional conference organisers who can generate business for the region but have not yet experienced our fabulous area, she said.

Expressions of interest for the next Sell TNQ Workshop which provides an opportunity to meet suppliers, undertake venue inspections, receive up close and personal contact with the rainforest and the reef and participate in a number of incentive-like themed activities in and around Cairns can be directed to Karen Shaw at [email protected]

 by Thomas E. King