General News
2 September, 2025
TTNQ marks 50 years
THE first Tourism Tropical North Queensland chairman and general manager have revealed how they had to fight to ensure Cairns obtained an international airport over Townsville.
George Chapman was the first chairman and Bill Cummings the first general manager of the Far North Queensland Development Bureau Limited before it became TTNQ.
Mr Chapman, whose family business has reinvested $85 million into upgrading Skyrail Rainforest Cableway as it celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, saw the opportunity to promote the Cairns region as a place to invest and live in.
“When tourism started to pick up in the late 70s, we knew we needed international flights for it to be successful,” he said.
“Despite much lobbying, the federal government decided Townsville would be the international airport. I told them they should find out where people want to go before they decided on the location.” Mr Chapman was part of a group of civic leaders and businessmen who continued to push for an international airport and on March 31, 1984 the $35m Cairns Airport redevelopment opened with a week-long community celebration.
On October 24 the industry will celebrate 50 years. To book visit https://bit.ly/4mr06Pi
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