expanding, which is great news because it’s going to bring more and more visitors to the destination.’

Wilkie says the extension of the convention centre is important to the region.

‘It puts us in a great position to be able to attract those bigger conferences and the international conventions.’

CrystalBrook Collection, a new hotel chain owned by Ghassan Aboud, has invested half a billion dollars into the region, with the build of three new hotels in Cairns and the purchase of the Reef Marina at Port Douglas, which is set for a major redevelopment.

The three new hotels, Bailey, Flynn and Riley, will each have their own distinct personalities. Riley will be the first to open, expected in 2018.

Wilkie says the three new hotels will bring something different to Cairns, and change the way hospitality is traditionally looked at.

‘The Collection is really going to redefine what accommodation can mean, and it’s going to raise the standard of accommodation across all of Cairns.’

Sell TNQ is taking place in Cairns now.