Page 22 - Tropic Magazine Issue 16

INDUSTRY • TOURISM

Slow burn

When Australia voted ‘yes’ to
legalise same-sex marriage in
Flying high late 2017, local tourism leaders
predicted rainbow dollars would
TAKE OFF? soon roll into wedding destination
With domestic flights hot spots such as Palm Cove
and Port Douglas. A year on,
bursting at the seams, figures from the Australian
securing direct international Bureau of Statistics show that
flights into Cairns is more hasn’t happened. Of a total 1300
important than ever. same sex unions celebrated in
Queensland last year, only 80
Words Renee Cluff were held in the Cairns and Port
Douglas Shires.
A lack of direct flights was blamed for us great connectivity with the key Joanne Male, a Cairns celebrant
a slight drop in international visitor markets of UK and Europe on the back and organiser of the Save the Date
numbers last year, but there are high of airlines like Singapore Airlines, who Wedding Expo, has married just
hopes for growth in 2019. fly to so many ports on the European five same-sex couples. “People
Air New Zealand’s March to October continent,” he said. “If anything, seeing have this perception that same-sex
service was recently expanded to this route serviced by a wide-bodied jet couples have all this disposable
12 months of the year, while SilkAir as opposed to a smaller 737 would be on income but in my experience
announced a daily service to Cairns the wish list.” they’ve actually been quite frugal,”
starting in June, up from five flights per Elusive Middle Eastern flights are still a she told Tropic. “They’re not having
week. At the same time, China Southern priority, according to Mr Nelson. While these outrageous weddings, there’s
and China Eastern Airlines have there’s been no lack of desire from any a lot of meaning to them and the
increased their seasonal schedules and of the key stakeholders or industry, it weddings I have done have been
Qantas has resumed flights between is a route that’s proving a tough nut to very intimate.”
Cairns and Port Moresby. crack. “The capacity that these airlines It may not be surprising then that
Michael Nelson from Pinnacle drive out of Europe and the UK is just of the unions Ms Male has presided
Marketing told Tropic the Air New phenomenal,” he said. “The opportunity over, there was not a destination
Zealand flights are particularly exciting. to open up Cairns as a gateway point wedding among them - they were
“Air New Zealand is on an expansion is obvious and would in my opinion be all locals.
program out of North America so they’re a game-changer for our region. There
adding new routes,” Mr Nelson said. needs to be a compelling business case
“The connectivity that it gives the US for them to open up a new route and
and Canadian markets to the region it is not always about leisure tourism.
is fantastic. Of course that’s on top Cargo and corporate traffic, which
of the market from NZ coming to our tend to travel on higher airfares, are
destination.” considerations, as are availability of
So, what’s still on the wish list? particular aircraft types to best service a
According to Mr Nelson, the recently destination. The industry rumour I hear
expanded SilkAir service may need to is that we have never been closer but
evolve to a bigger jet. “This route gives there’s still work to be done.”

Timely

An annual report on the world’s most among airport stakeholders and
punctual aviation hubs has chosen operators was key to its success.
Cairns Airport as Australia’s best for Mr Carter believes the airport’s $55
on-time performance. OAG’s 2019 million domestic terminal upgrade will
Punctuality League found 83.7% of continue to improve its punctuality.
flights in Cairns were cateogrised Due to be completed in 2020, the T2
as being on-time. The high-flying terminal will expand to 10,000 square
accolade on a national scale scored it metres with additional seating and
ninth place in the world rankings for improved layout to help simplify
small airports (2.5 million to 5 million navigation for passengers.
outgoing seats per annum).
Cairns Airport CEO Norris Carter said
the airport’s focus on customer service MORE: cairnsairport.com.au
and a strong sense of community

22 • Tropic • Issue 16