A New Whitsundays Order

If there ever was a time to put the Whitsundays before self, fairness before nepotism, honesty before a few pieces of silver, the time is now.

I want to talk to you about what's at stake -- what we must do together to promote Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays beauty to the world and to also return our economic strength at home.

 

These goals are not mine alone. 

We stand today at a unique and extraordinary moment. The crisis in tourism in the Whitsundays, as grave as it is, also offers a rare opportunity to move toward an historic period of cooperation.

Out of these troubled times, our objective -- a new Tourism Whitsundays -- can emerge: a new era -- freer from the threat of nepotism, stronger in the pursuit of tourism, and more secure in the quest for this regions financial security. 

An era in which the operators of the Whitsundays, East and West, North and South, Mainland and Islands, can prosper and live in harmony. 

Today that new Whitsundays is struggling to be born, a Whitsundays quite different from the one we've known over the past five years. 

A Whitsundays where the rule of fairness supplants the rule of the Tourism organization's CEO and Chairman. 

A Whitsundays in which all operators recognize the shared responsibility for fairness and look at the Whitsundays as a big picture.

We understand that how we manage this crisis in the Whitsundays today could shape the future for years, decades, even generations to come.

 

The test we face is great, and so are the stakes. 

This is the first assault on the new Whitsundays that we seek, the first test of our mettle.

Had we not responded to the provocations over the five years with clarity of purpose, if we do not continue to demonstrate our determination, it would be a signal to other Tourism organizations around Queensland that they can do the same. 

The Whitsundays and Queensland Tourism Organizations must defend common vital interests -- and we will. 
The Whitsundays and Queensland Tourism Organizations must support all tourism operators -- and we will. 

The Whitsundays and Queensland tourism operators must stand up to nepotism -- and we will. 
And one thing more: In the pursuit of these goals we will not be intimidated.

 

Vital issues of principle are at stake. Tourism Whitsundays and Tourism Queensland are literally trying to wipe Airlie Beach off the face of the Earth. We do not exaggerate. Nor do we exaggerate when we say Tourism Whitsundays and Tourism Queensland will fail. 

Vital economic interests are at risk as well. We cannot permit our beautiful, unique region so vital to be dominated by one organization so ruthless. And we won't.

 

Recent events have surely proven that there is no adequate leadership in our tourism organizations, local and state.

In the face of tyranny, let no one doubt the majority of Whitsundayans credibility and reliability. 

Let no one doubt our staying power. We will stand by our community. One way or another, the Management and Board of Tourism Whitsundays must learn this fundamental truth. From the outset, acting hand in hand with others, we've sought to fashion the broadest possible response to Tourism Whitsundays incompetence. 

The level of local  cooperation for our cause, and condemnation of Tourism Whitsundays Management is unprecedented. Members from operators spanning the islands and the mainland are there at the request of Phil Batty to deter and, if need be, to defend against further attack. 

Members and Non Members, Tourism and Non-Tourism operators, staff from many states and nations stand shoulder to shoulder, resolute against Tourism Whitsundays failures.

 

It is a mockery of commercial decency to call the management of Tourism Whitsundays, 'professionals'.  They are incompetent, and the whole Whitsundays knows it.

 

We're now in sight of a new Management and Board of Directors that performs as envisioned by its founders.  The Alternative Tourism Whitsundays is backing up its words with action. 

At home, the material cost of our campaign over the past two years has been steep - making this editor a 'social martyr. That's why Phil Batty has met with many tourism leaders to underscore that the burden of this collective effort must be shared. 

We are prepared to do our share and more to help carry that load; we hope that others do their share as well.

 

The response of most of our friends and allies has been good. 

Finally, let no one even contemplate profiteering from this crisis. We will not have a bar of it.

I cannot predict just how long it will take to convince the management and board of Tourism Whitsundays to resign. We will continue to review all options with our supporters, but let it be clear: we will not let this obvious nepotism and incompetence stand.

 

Our interest, our involvement in the RTO is not transitory. It predated Chris Jacobs chairmanship and will survive it. Our role is to help all Whitsundays Tourism operators. And something else: to curb the proliferation of nepotism, favouritism, members money and, above all, subsidies.

 

Let me also make clear that the 'Alternative Tourism Whitsundays' has no quarrel with the Islands. Our quarrel is with the Management and Board of Tourism Whitsundays and with its incompetence. 

 

Our ability to function effectively as a great tourism destination depends on how we conduct ourselves at home. Our economy, our marketing, our tourism dependence, and our cohesion all determine whether we can help ourselves and stand up to the lull in world and domestic tourism. 

For the Whitsundays to lead, the Whitsundays must remain strong and vital. To revitalize our leadership, our leadership capacity, we must address our tourism management deficit -- not after the next election day, or next AGM, but now.

   

It is high time we pulled together and get the job done right. It's up to us to straighten this out. 

The Whitsundays are tired of phony promotions or promise-now, tourists-later plans. It is time for a program that is credible and real.  The past five years has been a path we should not head down again.

 

We have been pleased with recent progress, although it has not always seemed so smooth. But now it's time to produce.We can work out a responsible plan. 

 

Our ability to meet all Whitsundays Tourism operators wishes depends upon political will and consensus here at home. This is never easy in organizations, for they govern only with the consent of the governed. And although free people in a free society are bound to have their differences, Whitsundays operators traditionally have before come together in times of adversity and challenge.

It's Time.

J Davison

WhitsundaysOnline.Net

Media Enquiries:

Philip Batty

0412297512