HOW WE SEE IT! The people make the place

I have grown up in and headed up media outlets in a number of different top of the tree tourist towns… Victor Harbor just named South Australia’s top tourist town for the third consecutive year, and Alice Springs when it was at the heart of outback tourism, before its sad demise.

There are obvious natural and environmental attributes to both of those places that draw tourists from around the world, just like Port Douglas and the wider Douglas region… the Daintree and the Great Barrier Reef the most obvious.

Weather plays a big part, and the accommodation options too, particularly for Port Douglas, have a big impact on the number and type of visitors the place draws.

But, the most critical factor promoting these towns and regions as destinations, in my mind, has always been their events… and the people who make them great.

The Red Centre’s Henley on Todd, Finke Desert Race, Camel Cup and the list goes on… or at least used to… were huge drawcards for the town and value added to the draw of the natural beauty of the Outback.

In Victor Harbor, a Whale Festival to celebrate that natural annual wonder, Rock N Roll Festival and, more recently, a Viking Festival, bring a boost to the long-time day trip destination.

None are possible without volunteers or at least a big shot of community spirit.

That is something to never take for granted when it comes to the Port Douglas Carnivale, a true favourite of Far North Queensland.

No doubt the events and performances secured for the spectacle are important, but critical to its success - and the success of any town when it comes to tourism - has to be how our community embraces it and embraces the people who come to enjoy it.