The Port Douglas Daintree region is celebrated as Australia’s first ECO Certified destination with the nation’s peak body for sustainable tourism, Eco Tourism Australia. Recognised by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), the certification with Eco Tourism Australia represents an important opportunity to celebrate and expand on the Shire’s sustainable tourism offering.

The global value of the adventure tourism market is growing rapidly, projected to reach $1.169 Billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 20.1% from 2021 – 2028. With spectacular natural assets and key projects driving the momentum, the Douglas Shire will become a key contributor to Australia’s adventure tourism offering, attracting thrill seekers from around the globe.

The Douglas Shire’s exceptional natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and diverse community provide the perfect ingredients for a thriving creative economy and unique arts and cultural experiences. Creative and cultural tourism is recognised as a key area for growth, especially as more visitors seek authentic experiences that showcase talents and cultures of residents and their relationship with the place in which they live.

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree identifies a gap in the luxury accommodation offering in Port Douglas and Daintree, and convention facilities in Port Douglas to support the strategic vision for tourism in the Shire.18 With 2.478M total visitor nights in 2019 and a total of 2,882 accommodation rooms. Tourism Port Douglas Daintree recognises the need for additional accommodation options to cater for the growth in visitation to the region, and expected growth in visitation during traditional off peak seasons.

With no better stage than the rainforest and the reef, Tourism Port Douglas Daintree’s Events Strategy 2025 highlights the importance of growing the region’s events offering. Events are identified as a catalyst to further stimulate the economy and create more opportunities for sustainable development and better activation of our green spaces.

From reef to rainforest conservation, Douglas-based organisations are leading the way in efforts to preserve and protect precious marine and rainforest habitats. From extensive scientific research to educational programs, to securing facilities, resources and equipment, sustained investment in protecting endangered World Heritage Listed environments is a top priority for the region.

Queensland is the film-friendly, production paradise of Australia, known for its experienced crews, ideal climate, stunning and diverse locations, attractive financial incentives, established studios, and respected post-production and visual effects facilities. From golden sands and coral reefs to the dramatic Daintree rainforest, our tropical paradise offers stunning on-screen locations, gaining the attention of the world’s leading production houses.

The FNQ region is set to become the Smart Green Capital of Australia. With Projects like the Daintree Bio Precinct, Daintree Renewable Microgrid, Mossman Botanic Garden, and the Great Barrier Reef Legacy’s Living Coral Biobank, there’s growing momentum for the Douglas Shire to be a serious leader of the Smart Green Economy.

Our two-world heritage natural environments combine to create some of the most exciting opportunities in food cultivation and production. From abundant sugar cane to exotic fruits, to barramundi, prawns, microgreens, nuts, chocolate, and cattle, growing conditions in the region are conducive to supporting a diverse array of food and bioenergy crops .With tourism and agriculture combining in our unique tropical environment, the Douglas food story opens a raft of incredible opportunities.

With industrial zoned land in the Craiglie Business Park on the outskirts of Port Douglas, and in North and South Mossman, ample opportunity exists for new businesses and facilities. Development Applications that fit within the Douglas Shire Planning Scheme are encouraged.

Parents and home builders represent the largest service age group in the Shire at 18.9%, whilst older workers and pre-retirees, and the young workforce make up the second and third largest service age groups at 13.2% and 12.4% respectively. There are obvious opportunities to expand the health and wellbeing sector in the Douglas Shire to provide services that cater to the growing needs of these segments.