Tourism Port Douglas & Daintree (TPDD) has been
recognised as a leader in Tourism Marketing at the 2012 TNQ Tourism Awards at the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday, October 13.

For TPDD executive officer Doug Ryan said the award capped off a strong year for the local tourism organisation, which represents members from Wangetti (south of Port Douglas) through to Wujal Wujal (north of Cape Tribulation).

This category recognises excellence in marketing tourism products, regions, destinations, or group projects. Initiatives can include short-term marketing
campaigns, ongoing marketing programs or promotional vehicles such as websites.

Mr Ryan said TPDD had been recognised for a number of key initiatives that were identified and developed as part of its 2011/2012 Marketing Strategy.

Areas included social media and online marketing, Discover Paradise and a national shopping centre holiday campaign.

“We really put a lot of emphasis on developing our online presence with an overall focus on the consumer experience, while providing emotive destination imagery and regional content and the results were instant.

“In 2011/2012 financial year, the website increased visitation by 46%, with an extra 27,646 visitors compared to the year before, which is an average of 2300 extra visitors per month. In addition, the site also experienced 58% growth in total page views and an 8.56% increase in pages viewed per visit.”

Mr Ryan said Discover Paradise, a high gloss insert on the Douglas region distributed locally and nationally, had also been a key inclusion in its marketing strategy for the last five years. As part of this, a special promotion in 2012 also saw it included in the The Weekend Australian newspaper in Sydney and Melbourne as well as throughout regional Queensland including Townsville and Cairns.

He said the national shopping centre holiday campaign, which saw TPDD partner with Colonial First State Global Asset Management, was also a huge success reaching more than seven million shoppers.

“Receiving this award was only made possible by the great work of the team here at TPDD. I would also like to acknowledge the support and recognition that the Cairns Regional Council extends to the tourism sector and our organisation.”

Mr Ryan congratulated all the winners from the Douglas region, which included Daintree Discovery Centre and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures who were admitted into The Hall of Fame, Events NQ’s Longest Lunch for festivals and events, Peninsula Boutique Hotel for best deluxe accommodation, and Bloomfield Lodge for best unique accommodation.