Is the Douglas region pricing itself out as a once-popular destination in the strongly competitive Australian domestic tourism market?

Some local community members have noticed that the just-ended school holidays have been remarkably quiet in Port Douglas for this time of year, and they’re putting it down to expensive airfares, high room costs and even apparently overpriced pub meals.

One Newsport source said, “it’s like a ghost town.”

And tour operator Glen Morrissey complained on social media, “it’s school holidays and my tours are not running because of low numbers.

“Just tried to book a flight for my sister to visit, $800 one way. Short notice but no wonder people are not travelling,” he added.

Another operator agreed, saying their shuttle buses and private transfers in Port Douglas and Cairns “are quiet compared to the last few years (lol COVID was heaps busier)”, and that they noticed foot traffic in the Cairns Night Markets, where they also own shops, was down “at least 50%.”

Others pointed to the general cost of living rises:

“Life is so expensive. People aren't able to have a holiday away because they are needing to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table at home. Everything has gone up.”

“It’s expensive to eat out too!” lamented another user. “When you’re paying almost $30 for a breakfast dish that’s essentially bacon and eggs that’s a bit much.” 

“I went there to have a pub meal was $170 for a family and we all ordered the 'Cheap meal'. That's a weeks groceries. Can't pay a mortgage and eat out. The days of luxury items is over.”

Airlines are partly to blame, according to some:

“The flow on from the greedy and mismanaged airlines is hitting all of us, cafes, restaurants, resorts, hotels and tour companies employ most of our town. 

“If people can’t afford to get here we all suffer. Must be a way to bring realistic pricing back or everyone will go overseas where things are cheaper.” 

“We went to book Cairns to Melbourne for next weekend. Was $4000 return for 3 of us. My Mother in law then changed the date for my father in law’s 60th birthday party for the following weekend. Flights are just under $1000. It’s disgraceful.”

One of the largest domestic airlines, Virgin Australia got back to Newsport about the reports of over-the-top airfares to Cairns from other Australian cities.

“Virgin Australia has a Book Early Fares page with discounted flights for various travel dates,” a spokesperson for the airline told us.  

“We frequently feature Cairns in our Happy Hour sales on virginaustralia.com on Thursdays from 4pm, where customers can also pick up low fares.  

“Current one-way Lite fares include Brisbane-Cairns from $119; Melbourne-Cairns from $169; Perth-Cairns from $235.

“While we do work with our travel industry partners to offer great value fares in combination with hotels and experiences, we don’t offer dedicated holiday packages.

“There are a number of factors contributing to pressure on airfare prices in Australia and around the world, including high levels of demand, inflationary pressures, and sustained high fuel costs,” the spokesperson added.