Port Douglas holiday winner gets second chance

Tourism

Jamie Jansen

Journalist

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Putting smiles on faces. Two Port Douglas businesses make the day for the Lovett family stuck in their Canberra lockdown. Image supplied


Local businesses Sailaway Cruises and Peppers Beach Club team up to honour a Port Douglas VIP Holiday winner in lockdown.

On a pre-COVID morning late October 2019, Sarah Lovett opened her email inbox as usual. Only this time to discover she was the lucky winner of a holiday in paradise.

As a Port Douglas Magazine & Travel Planner VIP member, Ms Lovett was in the monthly draw to win a weekend escape of two nights at Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas and a trip for two with Sailaway Mackay Coral Cay, a remote coral island.

With the many lockdown restrictions happening, Canberra based Ms Lovett wasn’t able to fly up to Port Douglas to redeem her prize.

Ten months later, Sarah reluctantly made contact with the Magazine & Travel Planner asking if it was possible for her to still redeem the prize even though the validity had expired.

Tom and Mia are looking forward to taking lots of pics here in Port Douglas Daintree. Image supplied.


In a beautiful display of FNQ spirit both Sailaway Port Douglas and Peppers Beach Club quickly agreed to honour her prize without hesitation.

According to Steve Edmonson, owner of Sailaway Port Douglas, it is “the perfect aspiration to look forward to post COVID-19.”

Jess Whitworth, general manager of Peppers Beach Club Port Douglas, was also very happy to honour and welcome Ms Lovett to Port Douglas.

At the time of speaking to Ms Lovett, it is only fourteen degrees in Canberra, where she lives.

“At least we were still able to run free, until last week,” she said.

“We were in lockdown in March/April last year and since Thursday last week we’re in lockdown again due to an outbreak in New South Wales.

“Whilst it was a struggle to stay at home for six weeks, especially with two kids, it certainly wasn’t as bad for us in Canberra during that time as it has been in other states.

Ms Lovett’s last holiday was nearly two years ago when she went to the Gold coast and the Sunshine coast. The last time she went to Port Douglas was thirteen years ago.

“I booked a holiday to Port Douglas last year but it got cancelled twice. I am really looking forward to when we can finally go back up there.

“I would love for my two kids to see the Great Barrier Reef. They have loved to travel in the past and can’t wait to go on a trip again.”

Ms Lovett said she is very grateful that Sailaway and Peppers Beach Club have decided to honour her prize.  

 

“I understand that it is a very hard time for so many businesses, specifically for the tourism and hospitality industry.

“I am very thankful to have the ability to still redeem my prize and travel to Port Douglas hopefully sometime soon.”


A big thank you to Sailaway Cruises and Peppers Beach Club from the Lovett family :) Image supplied

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