Future’s rosy, says outgoing tourism chief

As reported in the Cairns Post

October 9, 2014.

This what James Dixon said:
TOURISM Tropical North Queensland deputy chairman James Dixon is standing down from the marketing body after 10 years.
 North Queensland deputy chairman James Dixon is standing down from the marketing body after 10 years.

Mr Dixon, who co-owns Down Under Tours with brother Gordon, said it was with mixed feelings he was not seeking re-election at the annual meeting on October 28.
He said the industry was in for a promising future, the best in many years, even if the proposed $8.15 billion Aquis integrated resort did not proceed.
"I’ve been on the board for 10 years and I feel that it needs fresh blood and fresh ideas,’’ Mr Dixon said.
"The industry has been very kind to my family, to our business, and I’ve enjoyed being able to give back,’’ he said.

James Dixon

Mr Dixon said tourism was looking rosy and hopefully would not be impacted by world events, such as the conflicts in the Middle East.
"From a tourism perspective the next little while is looking very exciting,’’ he said.
Mr Dixon said he believed the most serious issue facing TTNQ, of sustainable funding, was about to be resolved.
He said chief executive Alex de Waal and the board had "a serious and solid plan" to ensure sustainable funding would be achieved.
"If we go to the next level it will be a completely different ball game for the destination,’’ Mr Dixon said. The funding plan would be revealed soon.
This year there will be no election for the three general director and two zone director positions. Cairns Convention Centre general manager Ross Steele will be re-elected unopposed as Cairns south zone director and Exemplar Coaches and Limousines director Gordon Wellham as Cairns North zone director.
Re-elected as a general director is Quicksilver Group marketing director Michael Healy, while newcomers are Cook Shire Council regional development officer Katrina Houghton and Jungle Adventures Cape Tribulation managing director Sheena Walshaw.
TTNQ has turned around last year’s loss of $102,261 to a profit of $23,720 despite revenue falling from $6.6 million to $6.1 million. Expenses fell from $6.7 million to $6.1 million. Industry memberships and contributions decreased from $2.9 million to $2.5 million while government and other grants rose slightly from $3.12 million to $3.18 million.