Cairns to host tourism, aviation leaders at major international summit

The Far North will host one of the biggest tourism and aviation summits in Australasia, marking the first time it has been held outside a capital city, later this year. Here’s why.

Tourism and Events Queensland Group Executive Ollie Philpot, Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker, CAPA Centre for Aviation events director Claudia Kunz, Cairns Convention Centre marketing manager Melissa Belevski and TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen announce Cairns as the host for the 2025 CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific. Photo: Catherine Duffy

Cairns will host one of the biggest tourism and aviation summits in Australasia — the first time it has been held outside a capital city.

More than 400 delegates from the around Australia and Asia will descend on the region for the major event later this year.

The 2025 CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific will bring together aviation and tourism delegates from across the globe and will be held at the Cairns Convention Centre on July 31 and August 1.

Tropical Tourism North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said the summit was a great opportunity to showcase the region as a “gateway” to Australia.

After five years and $176 million spent, the Cairns Convention Centre expansion and upgrade will officially be opened on Tuesday by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. A new three storey facade and grand entrance on Wharf Street at the southern end of the building. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This is about a bright future – it is about connecting this great city with the world and it is really about a strong tourism future for Australia, with its aviation hub here in the north, in Cairns, in the Great Barrier Reef,” Mr Olsen said.

It comes as Jetstar and Fiji Airways prepare to launch direct services in April from Cairns to Christchurch and Nadi, respectively.

“Aviation connectivity is critical to the future of Cairns as a successful eco-tourism destination and, once the delegates see for themselves what our region offers, it will add to the compelling arguments presented to them to work with Cairns Airport and TTNQ,” he said.

Tourism and Events Queensland Group Executive Ollie Philpot, Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker, CAPA Centre for Aviation events director Claudia Kunz, Cairns Convention Centre marketing manager Melissa Belevski and TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen announce Cairns as the host for the 2025 CAPA Airline Leader Summit Australia Pacific. Photo: Catherine Duffy

CAPA Centre for Aviation events director Claudia Kunz said the summit was a “pivotal event” and provided a platform for aviation and tourism leaders to come together and discuss industry issues.

“We will be attracting some 400 delegates from over 20 countries, and we’re hoping to bring 30 airline carriers and well over 100 airline delegates to this event,” Ms Kunz said.

“Providing a platform for industry leaders of this calibre to come together and share their insights leads to real, actionable intelligence that shapes the future of air travel.”

Speakers will include high-ranking executives from Australia and international airlines, senior government officials and subject matter experts from various air travel sectors.

Cairns Airport chief executive Richard Barker said the summit was a great opportunity to showcase the region to potential airline partners and connect the Far North to new markets.

“We will be front and centre as our industry’s top executives examine where we’re headed, with insights into local and global trends,” Mr Barker said.

“We can also showcase why Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef remain iconic drawcards for international visitors and why Cairns Airport is working closely with our partners to increase access options to Tropical North Queensland.”

Originally published as Cairns to host tourism, aviation leaders at major international summit