The visit by Business Events Cairns and Great Barrier Reef and six operator partners coincides with an increase of New Zealand business travellers (including incentive and meeting delegates) into Tropical North Queensland of some 40% year-on-year.
Natalie Johnson, manager-business events at the bureau, says the trans-Tasman visit illustrated the easy direct access between Tropical North Queensland and New Zealand, with the delegation flying into Auckland on Air New Zealand and travelling back to Cairns from Christchurch on Jetstar.
Johnson also says there has been noticeable demand for off-site activities that groups can fit into a morning or afternoon. ‘This is being met by options such as Pure Snorkel with an afternoon experience for up to 40 pax. and also snorkelling and introductory dives for groups of up to 60.’
She says Great Adventures, part of Quicksilver Group, is taking charters to a private pontoon in the morning, giving groups exclusive use before day trippers arrive in the afternoon. Incentive delegates have the option of returning via Green Island for lunch or direct back to Cairns.
Other big news includes the A$86 million dollar upgrade of Skyrail, encompassing new glass gondolas and Morris Group’s plans to convert Double Island Resort off Palm Cove into 24 high-end villas, opening in 2029. Hilton Palm Cove is expected to open with 140 rooms in October this year.
Cairns Convention Centre has had an extension as well as a major refurbishment of existing facilities, while Crystalbrook now has three hotels in Cairns offering a total of 877 guest rooms, 14 meeting rooms and nine restaurants.
