Cooktown Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

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Tourism

TOURISM IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY

Tourism underpins much of our economy. Cooktown is becoming an increasingly attractive and interesting destination in its own right as well as a popular stop over on trips to ‘the Tip’ and back.

The development of the Waterfront and the continuing investment in the Discovery Festival have attracted a growing number of appreciative visitors.

Couple fishing in boat holding Spanish Mackerel
Reconciliation Rocks at Cooktown

The Reconciliation Rocks memorial combined with the new Waalmbal Birri Heritage and Culture Centre and the rebadged and refocused Cooktown Museum are helping establish Cooktown as an important destination for understanding reconciliation.

Cooktown is becoming an increasingly popular fishing destination – both river and reef – and as a base for accessing the excellent fishing Lakefield National Park offers.

We have more than 30 businesses whose principal purpose is to provide accommodation or services to tourists. These include 8 caravan and camping parks in and around Cooktown and 10 hotel/motel/guest houses. Most are members of the Chamber.

We are FOCUSED ON PROMOTING TOURISM

One of the Chamber’s key focuses is promoting Local Tourism. Accepting that the pandemic has made new initiatives challenging, we have been working on:

  • Ways of extending the season. Our tourist season is relatively short ending in September. Extending the season improves the viability and profitability of tourism businesses and gives greater confidence in investing in improving and providing new tourist attractions and facilities.
  • Greater regional connection. By working across the broader Cape York region we can leverage tourism assets and share and exploit ideas for growing tourism.
  • Improving public facilities and infrastructure that attract tourism.
Cooktown and Mt Cook National Park

Working with Cook shire council and TTNQ

Cook Shire Council makes a significant contribution to developing Tourist attractions and facilities in Cooktown and the Region and the continuing promotion of Local Tourism is a major focus for our regular Chamber and Council meetings.

With the Council, the Chamber has recently entered into a Three-Way Partnership Marketing Agreement with Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ). This is a significant step forward for tourism development in the region and follows discussions between all 3 organisations over a period of time. Key points are:

  • The development of a joint action plan to promote local and regional tourism
  • Complimentary membership of TTNQ and product listings for all Chamber members
  • Access to TTNQ’s considerable marketing and media skills and experience

Explore The Cooktown and Cape york visitors Guide

The Cooktown Chamber produces the ‘Cooktown and Cape York Visitor Guide’ which has been both a popular publication and greatly assisted in promoting Cooktown and our region to potential visitors.