This was a great opportunity to promote Cairns to the world. Numerous people commented on how good Cairns looks and how they thought they would stay on for a couple of days, or come back for another visit.

At a welcoming reception I told delegates that Cairns is the Australian city which best relates to the people of the Pacific. Not only do we have a tropical lifestyle with reefs, rainforests, stunning beaches and laid-back people, but we also share similar problems; having to deal with the impacts of climate change, the rise in the sea level, increased turbulent weather events, and erosion.

The Prime Minister was in town for 3 days, as were a number of Ministers and Australian Government staff. A highlight for me was a lunch at Thala Beach Resort with Therese Rein and the partners of the Pacific leaders. Therese was engaging, informed, and interested in finding out more about the region. She is interested in indigenous art and was delighted to hear of the inaugural Indigenous Art Fair that will kick off Festival Cairns to be held at the Tanks from Friday 21 to Sunday 23rd August.

It is estimated that the Pacific Islands Forum provided a $10 million boost to the region's economy. Not only did hotels and restaurants benefit but security firms, hire cars, florists, equipment hire firms, tourism products and venues, staff hire agencies, catering firms, produce wholesalers, souvenir and retail stores also profited.