The Cairns Airport has come on board as a sponsor for the new Adventure Festival that will coincide with the Cairns Challenge - with its $140,000 prize money - to be held 5th June. The Adventure Festival will commence the weekend that Port Douglas Carnivale finishes which will provide extra incentives for athletes, adventure seekers and visitors to come to the region or stay on for a little longer; and for locals to start training for the various events.

The Coral Coast Triathlon will be revitalised, a new mountain bike race initiated and the inaugural Palm Cove to Port outrigger canoe challenge will be held.

Unfortunately, the national and international perception is that the Cairns region has been either flooded or badly damaged by Cyclone Yasi and we need to do all we can to ensure that we continue to attract visitors during this difficult economic time.

Tourism businesses are doing it very tough and Council can assist by initiating and supporting events and festivals. Of the 9,000 people who braved the rain to attend the Rugby League trial match between the Titans and the NQ Cowboys on Saturday 26th February, many came from outside the region staying in hotels, eating in our restaurants and spreading much-needed dollars around our community.