Mareeba Shire Council and Visit Mareeba Shire are partnering up to help businesses through the Business Resilience and Digital Capability Program.
The way locals and visitors discover businesses in Kuranda and the Mareeba Shire is changing at lightning speed. Today, having a quality online presence – your Google listing, website, reviews and social media – is not just for big operators or techies. It’s the price of entry to attract the right customers, whether they’re next door or planning their dream trip to Tropical North Queensland.
The online marketplace is shifting fast thanks to artificial intelligence. Customers are searching with natural questions, and AI-powered search engines are now deciding what businesses get found and recommended. It’s no longer about who has the flashiest website, but who’s visible and trusted online. If you want locals and tourists to see your unique offering be it handmade crafts, fresh produce, homegrown coffee or that signature Far North Queensland service your digital presence needs to work just as hard as you do.
A PRACTICAL PROGRAM, NOT JUST TALK
That is where the Mareeba Shire Business Resilience & Digital Capability Program comes in. Kicking off in November, this fully funded program is hands-on, no-fluff and designed for every level, from total digital beginners to operators wanting to sharpen their competitive edge. Here is how it works:
Workshop 1: Launching in November – Business Resilience and Digital Essentials
The program launches with a series of face-to-face workshops, led by nationally recognised tourism digital expert Fabienne Wintle from Tourism Tribe.
Kuranda: Monday, 24 November, Kuranda Community Centre (above the Library), 9am–1pm
Mareeba: Tuesday, 25 November, Mareeba Shire Library Tech Room, 9am–1pm
What you will walk away with:
• Step-by-step actions to present your business professionally online
• Practical digital tools you must have for resilience and marketing
• Online reputation management: building trust for locals and visitors
• How to future-proof your business against disasters (flood, fire, cyclone)
• Crisis communications planning—what to say, who to tell, how to stay visible when it matters
• Setting up and improving your Google Business Profile, ATDW listing, and collecting reviews
Workshop 2: Digital & AI Tools for Business Growth (March 2026)
• Reflect on what’s worked and what’s been tricky since Workshop 1
• How to use AI to save time, improve your marketing, and get found in new ways
• Social media tips for a world run by algorithms and recommendations
• Website tweaks and optimisation for the new era of AI-driven search
• Trouble-shooting lab: get answers to your digital challenges, live
Personalised Digital Health Check
Every participating business gets a Digital Engagement Health Check™ – a personalised report (not an automated printout!) prepared by a digital strategist. Your website, Google, Facebook, Instagram, TripAdvisor and more are assessed for how they’re performing, what’s missing, and what you can fix right now to attract more customers. You’ll get clear, prioritised advice you can actually act on immediately.
One-on-One Coaching and Support
This isn’t just group workshops – you’ll have the chance for one-on-one mentoring and digital support from industry-leading coaches. Get help with your website, Google, socials or any specific challenge. No question is too silly and there’s no jargon – just practical, confidential help for your business.
6 Months of Online Learning and Peer Support
You’ll also access Tourism Tribe’s online training and community for six months. Have full access to the Tourism Tribe self-paced course library and join twice-monthly group calls, learn at your own pace, and connect with other operators facing the same digital challenges.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
If you run a small business anywhere in the Mareeba Shire – tourism, hospitality, food and beverage, retail or more – this is for you. It’s suited to both seasoned operators and new businesses, and especially those who feel “behind” in the digital world. The goal? You walk away with real improvements you can see, not just ideas.
WHY TOURISM TRIBE? WHY FABIENNE WINTLE?
Tourism Tribe isn’t just another training outfit. They’re Australia’s go-to specialists for digital upskilling, business resilience, and regional business transformation. Fabienne Wintle is a co-founder, a nationally awarded digital strategist, and a down-to-earth Queenslander at heart. Her training style is practical, supportive and (dare we say it) even fun. The Tourism Tribe team have worked with thousands of businesses just like yours, and know how to get results for every learning style and confidence level
READY TO FUTURE-PROOF YOUR BUSINESS?
• Register now: www.tourismtribe.com/programs/mareeba-2025
• Kuranda Workshop: Monday 24 Nov, 9am–1pm
• Mareeba Workshop: Tuesday 25 Nov, 9am–1pm
• Follow-up workshops: March 2026 (details to come)
• Places are limited—don’t miss out.
This initiative is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements – Business Resilience Partnership Program.