Apparently, there are three groups interested in buying into the resort development on Great Keppel Island. Speculation is one of the groups is headed by Ding Zuo Hong, the recent purchaser of Keppel Cove – a work in progress tourism and residential development at Zilzie. Wouldn’t this be interesting, dare I say exciting, should the sale of GKI to Mr. Hong transpire? Capricorn Coast needs Great Keppel Island to be a fully functional resort to attract more high spending tourists. Like it once was, GKI becomes a recognised and desired destination, but this time not just to those living along Australia’s east coast. Australian’s are spoilt for choice of island resorts to visit (and there are the floating islands – cruise ships), hence this time GKI needs to also attract international tourists, the growing Chinese middle class being the obvious market. If through Mr. Hong’s resources he does buy, develop the GKI resort and attracts sufficient international tourists to make it viable, how does the greater region make the most from it? Ideally international chartered planes would fly direct to Rockhampton, passengers spend some time in the city, commute to Keppel Cove and visit GKI by ferry. Problem; a full plane flies in, it doesn’t want to return near empty. Thus, Brisbane International Airport would be the more likely first port of call for the international tourists. Then do they take a charter jet service and fly direct to GKI? If so, how does Keppel Cove fit into this mind puzzle? Or does a scheduled 747 make its first Australian landing at Rockhampton on route to Sydney? The number of departing passengers in Rockhampton are matched by domestic passenger’s keen to make use of a direct flight to Sydney. Okay you can poke holes in this idea, but let’s assume we can overcome customs, quarantine, market demand, etc., issues. How do we make Rockhampton the first arrival point? Compared to Brisbane Airport, Rockhampton Airport is understandably regional in appearance and function. Imagine international tourists arriving on a rainy day! This disparity is highlighted more so when you consider the airport these tourists are possibly departing from. So, sell it as it is. Not Rockhampton Airport, but the regional feel. Promote it as going back to a quieter time, with little hustle and bustle, blue skies, clean air and me time. Your real Australian holiday, me time, starts on arrival. Certainly, a point of difference to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne airports. Considering the final destination chosen by these international tourists is to be at a less populated beachside tourist resort, with access to an underdeveloped Pacific island, ‘me time starts on arrival’ might prove quite appealing. Getting them to the Rockhampton Airport is only part of the ideal scenario I mentioned earlier. Tourists getting on a return luxury coach service and just travel direct to and from Zilzie past the meatworks is an opportunity wasted. What does the Rockhampton Region do to, put bluntly, have them part with some of their cash, spreading it and the resulting jobs across the greater region? Again, sell it as it is. Like a day tour of 2 attractions that are in Rockhampton’s DNA, the Dreamtime Cultural Centre and the CQLX Gracemere during a cattle sale. A relatively unique experience that arguably has international appeal. Also, validate the meatworks that they pass. Add a Chinese Eat Street riverside markets as part of the package and it is a real alternative experience to an extra day on GKI. Yes there’s a few if’s and work to be done, but exciting possibilities are hopefully afoot.