Eco partnership will benefit Port Douglas and Daintree

The region’s tourism body, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree (TPDD), said Port Douglas and the Daintree will reap the rewards of a partnership between Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and Qantas.

The partnership involves Qantas rewarding its travellers who choose an eco stay in Tropical North Queensland as part of the airline’s Green tier program for sustainable travel.

TTNQ is marketing the destination to high-value travellers wanting regenerative travel where eco-certified tourism operators support culture, community and the environment.

The Qantas partnership is one of the many campaigns underway to promote the Great Barrier Reef as the destination where visitors not only ‘See Great, they Leave Greater’ knowing their visit has had a positive impact.

“Port Douglas and the Daintree is extremely well placed to benefit from this exciting partnership,” said TPDD CEO Tara Bennett.

“With 40 percent of the participating hotels in the Douglas region and our very high proportion of eco certified operators, this campaign is a dream come true for our region.

“Since becoming eco-destination certified in 2019 – a world first – TPDD has been driving the agenda for sustainable travel as a key priority.

“I congratulate TTNQ and their partners on an innovative push to elevate the message and the impressive track record of our region’s eco credentials,” said Ms Bennett.

Port Douglas outlook

In looking ahead, Ms Bennett said current occupancy forecasts will see the region average 40 per cent occupancy until the first week of April when domestic school holidays kick off.

“This will lift occupancy to 50 per cent in the first week rising to 80 per cent over the Easter weekend,” she said.

TTNQ CEO Mark Olsen, meanwhile, said regenerative travel had long been an integral part of the tourism offering in Tropical North Queensland. But as the world shifts its focus towards making more sustainable choices, these efforts will be even more significant to the region.

“Tropical North Queensland tour operators have led the way, not just with eco-certification, but with their own initiatives such as the Coral Nurture Program and reforesting wildlife corridors alongside the Wet Tropics rainforest to ensure our tropical paradise can be enjoyed by future generations,” he said.

“Port Douglas and the Daintree, where the world’s oldest rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, was the first destination to achieve Ecotourism Australia’s Eco Destination Certification in 2019. Despite 80 per cent of its land being protected under World Heritage listing, 80 per cent of its economic activity is from tourism

“Across the region, organisations and operators are continually evolving in the sustainability space. Partnering with Qantas Loyalty and its new Green tier is a perfect fit for Tropical North Queensland where we have a high volume of eco-certified operators in Australia who support culture, community and the environment,” Mr Olsen said.

The new Green tier sits alongside existing Qantas flying tiers, and is designed to encourage and reward the airline’s 13 million frequent flyers for everything from offsetting their flights, staying in eco-hotels, purchasing sustainable wine and donating to organisations and projects committed to sustainability, including protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

These are some options that can assist travellers make eco-conscious choices:

• Visiting the Great Barrier Reef with operators such as Wavelength Reef Cruises and Passions of Paradise who are involved in the Coral Nurture Program.
• Hire a bike in Port Douglas or Palm Cove rather than a car to get around.
• Take a voyage on a carbon-neutral luxury sailing vessel such as Sailaway Port Douglas.
• Stay at eco-accredited accommodation such as Daintree Ecolodge, Fitzroy Island Resort, Kinrara Expeditions, Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, Silky Oaks Lodge and Thala Beach Nature Reserve.

To find out more about how you can achieve Qantas Frequent Flyer Green tier status visit qantas.com/greentier