Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud fields questions about tourism-related business in Cairns

Billionaire developer Ghassan Aboud has challenged the council and state government to do more to push Cairns as an international tourism destination.

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THE Syrian billionaire responsible for recent additions to the Cairns skyline today challenged local and state government to do more to push Cairns as an international tourism destination.

During a Q&A session at the Riley Resort Hotel, Crystalbrook Collection owner Ghassan Aboud, who flew into Cairns yesterday, reiterated his desire for a dedicated CBD entertainment precinct but made it clear it was Cairns Regional Council’s responsibility to fund the project.

Mr Aboud also discussed what was being done to attract new airlines to Cairns but would not be drawn on plans for a new development on Grafton St.

Crystalbrook Collection executive officer Mark Davie and company owner Ghassan Aboud take part in a Q&A session at the Riley hotel on Thursday. PETER CARRUTHERS

The waterfront pedestrian zone between Shields and Aplin Sts has been planned by the council for many years but Mr Aboud suggested local government needed to be more proactive in their approach.

He believes the company has contributed enough to the development of the precinct.

“You know if you read about me, I am known for supporting the community, I promise you I will try also try and support the community here but nothing for this project,” he said.

Mr Aboud said he had some ideas about how to generate increased visitor numbers to Cairns including new flights from Emirates and Qatar Airways.

“I have tried to support it but this is a local council job. It’s our job to build hotels and their job to sell it and make agreements for flights with other (levels of) government,” he said.

“Frankly I tell you four years ago I met with the Premier and the council was with us … and I said it’s your job to sell the country, it’s not is our job, but unfortunately … we get a lot of promises but we see nothing.”

“They promise to bring more airlines and promise to to bring business opportunity but until now we don’t see it.”

Crystalbrook Collection owner Ghassan Aboud tours the recently opened Riley hotel. Picture: PETER CARRUTHERS

Crystalbrook CEO Mark Davie said Mr Aboud was part of a delegation that included officials from the Cairns Airport, to discuss with Middle Eastern airlines the possibility of including Cairns as an international destination.

“Those discussion are ongoing but they are discussions involved with the tourism bodies and the airport and the airline to make the right business case for it,” he said.

Mr Aboud said there were two or three options on the drawing board for the Grafton St CBD development but the final plans have not been decided on.

The visiting businessman indicated wet weather could push back the opening of the Flynn and Bailey hotels and he was impressed at how the two new restaurants has traded at Riley since opening in November.

Mr Aboud is in town for four days in which he will travel to Port Douglas and meet with mayor Bob Manning.

Originally published as Syrian billionaire Ghassan Aboud fields questions about tourism-related business in Cairns