Cairns strengthens Korean ties with new travel deal
The Cairns economy will receive an $11.7 million boost during the 2025 low season thanks to a new deal secured with Amway Korea. But what’s in it for us?
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$11.7 million will be injected into the Cairns economy during the 2025 low season thanks to a new deal secured with Amway Korea.
Between November and December 2025 Cairns will welcome 2700 high performing workers that have been rewarded with a three night trip to the region.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the said the incentive travel deal will generate tremendous opportunity.
“It’s really exciting because we know these delegates are going to go back home and they’re going to tell their family and friends that they need to come to Cairns,” Ms Eden said.
“Winning these bids is a really big deal for our city but particularly for Cairns on the global scale.”
Incentive travel is when companies reward high performing workers with a free getaway or destination conference.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen said the lucrative market was highly competitive.
“These incentives are hotly contested, not only in Australia, but right around the world,” Mr Olsen said.
“Incentive travel is one of the highest yielding segments of the tourism industry.
“They spend 30% more per day than your average international traveler.”
Mr Olsen thinks the deal could provide a launching pad to generate international tourism in Cairns which still sits at two-thirds of 2019 levels.
“In 2025 there’s a real opportunity for us to grow our direct connection with Korea,” Mr Olsen said.
“A connection to Seoul from Cairns is really on the table and when you can win an event like this one, bring 2,700 delegates on charter services, you can demonstrate that demand.”
The regional boost comes as Cathay Pacific begins flights to Cairns on December 17.
Originally published as Cairns strengthens Korean ties with new travel deal