Are we back in business? Traders tell all

TOURIST TRADE STEADY

Bryan Littlely

Journalist

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Bec James was almost too busy to chat at her juice bar, Nectar. Picture: Bryan Littlely

Cost of living pressures, high airfares and a still slow trip on the Captain Cook Highway coastal road may have hobbled tourist numbers and spending a bit, but most Port Douglas traders are upbeat about the last splurge before the wet season.

Comment from cafe traders gathered on a wander down Macrossan Street last week suggests tourists are tightening their belts a little, going for cheaper take away options and shopping smartly to make their dollars go further, but they are still out and about.

Irene Cats and Emily Silverstone say they have had steady trade at The Daintree Shop. Picture: Bryan Littlely
Jay Wink says his ABC Snorkel business has been a bit busier than average. Picture: Bryan Littlely

“Coles is busy… it’s empty by the end of each day,’’ The Daintree Shop owner Irene Cats said.

“It’s good to see that tourists are around. We obviously started slow this year and everyone was very happy when July hit and it got busy,’’ she added.

“This time of year is the time when the people that come every year are here and they don’t necessarily do all the tours and spend all the money. They just come here to relax for a few days. They know their favourite restaurants, they might do an activity, but they’re not out and about every.’’

Ms Cats said she felt the Douglas region had “nearly forgotten about the whole cyclone and rain stuff’’.

“We’re getting there. Up until July we had people saying ‘we can’t get to Cape Trib’ and we had to tell them that they can, but we don’t hear that too much anymore,’’ she said.

The Daintree Shop’s Emily Silverstone said “backpacker numbers are still pretty pumping’’ and added it was proving difficult for them to find accommodation.

Nectar smoothie and juice business was buzzing with customers, manager Bec James happy with the busy trade.

“It’s great to see the influx of people around. It’s good for the town,’’ she said.

But nearby, Cafe Dulce owner Danny Rodriguez was shutting up after his only decent day of trade in a week.

“It’s been a very quiet season for us. Compared to other years, it has been very quiet,’’ he said.

“Flights are too expensive, accommodation is very expensive up here… interest rates and all that haven’t come down yet. Even though they said they will, they haven’t.

“It’s cheaper to go overseas, to go to Bali than to come to Port.’’

Mr Rodriguez said the condition of roads in the area still played a big part in the lack of tourists heading to Port Douglas.

“It was promised they were going to be fixed in June or July and we’re now at the end of September and we’re still having issues,’’ he said.

“They’re just doing band aid patches on the roads. If we get another cyclone here… good luck. I reckon if we get a cyclone a lot of business here will be closed next year.’’

ABC Snorkel owner Jay Wink said they’d had a slightly better than average season with their snorkelling tours.

“I’d say the season is up a bit for us. Everyone is different though depending on their market,’’ he said.

“We actually take people snorkelling. All our crew are marine biologists and they get in the water with them so it’s very educational.

“Lots of people have lots of questions now. They hear so much negativity about the reef about the bleaching and cyclones and all the other things that are being reported on.

“We can only tell them about our area that we work. We obviously want to keep people coming to Port Douglas and our news is positive.’’

Mr Wink said his market is mainly couples but there is a spike in families taking his tours during school holidays.

“The exchange rate is good. Americans and Europeans are still spending and that is primarily our market. Our local market has always been the smallest trade for us.’’

Danny Rodriguez, owner of Cafe Dulce, worries another weather event will close down Port Douglas businesses. Picture: Bryan Littlely

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