Business
26 July, 2024
Casino’s new era
A NEW era has emerged at the Reef Casino Trust as tourism identity Wendy Morris takes over the reins as new chairwoman.
However, the Port Douglas resident and businesswoman does not want to focus on her historic appointment as the first female to head the trust.
Instead, Ms Morris has highlighted the longevity and experience of the casino senior management team which amounts to more than 165 years of experience at the hotel and casino complex.
Not only has she showered praise on the hotel-casino’s executive line-up but also the stability the 350 staff has offered the business.
“Between them there is more than a century of experience,” Ms Morris said.
They include executive director Allan Tan (29 years), hotel casino chief executive officer Paul McHenry (29), casino general manager Christine Aylett (29), company secretary Alison Galligan (29), human resources manager Andrew Costello (17), marketing director Carol McFarlane (19) and hotel general manager Wayne Reynolds (13). New trust chief executive officer Brad Sheahon was appointed last year.
Ms Morris said the business was “in a very good position moving forward”.
As the Wharf St complex undergoes a multimillion-dollar repair and maintenance schedule, including a full refurbishment of the signature dome, she said the property needed the wealth of experience to get through “the challenges of 2024” and prepare for the return of international tourists in greater numbers.
She said the board and the management team were determined that the venue would retain its reputation as the “must see, must visit” place in Cairns.
“It is an icon in Cairns. Personally, to me, it is the Raffles (the legendary luxury hotel in Singapore) of Cairns,” Ms Morris said.
“It is still renowned for the service levels and the attention to detail,” she said.
Ms Morris said the Pullman hotel was one of the best in Cairns with high levels of occupancy (90 per cent) as well as revenue per available room (REVpar) and the best fine dining restaurant in the region – Tamarind.
She said it was not a matter of if, but when, international travellers returned in growing numbers.
Ms Morris said more Japanese and Koreans were evident.
She said Tourism Tropical North Queensland and Cairns Airport were working hard to get more international tourists back, not just for the casino, but for most tour operators.
Ms Morris said the return of Cathay Pacific was critical and the Jetstar flights from New Zealand’s South Island and the new Air Asia services from Bali with connections from Europe could not be underestimated for their importance.
She said the Japanese flights operated by Jetstar had also been successful and increased visitor numbers.
Ms Morris said cruise ship passengers were drawn to the property as the ships’ casinos were not allowed to operate while at port. It is also understood the casino offers far better odds than the gaming facilities on the ships.
Increasing international tourist numbers were required for the casino’s premium play or high rollers private gaming room to open regularly.
Currently it was only open on request, depending upon the eligibility of the applicants.
Ms Morris said the trust was working on something significant for the dome which has a special place in her heart as her father John Morris first established the wildlife tourism attraction in the early 2000s before being bought out by the CaPTA Group. Last year it closed after it was apparent extensive upgrading works were needed. “There is quite a bit of work being done on the dome. We have a blank sheet of paper going forward,” she said.
