Saqib Anwar has been appointed General Manager, Wilpena Pound Resort. Saqib comes to the resort with over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working amongst various hotel groups, namely Renaissance, Starwood and Wyndham. Having resided in Pakistan, Dubai, Yemen and Qatar, Saqib moved to Australia in January 2015 and has since been freelancing across the country as a Hospitality Operations Consultant.
Craig Kelmar has been appointed General Manager, Mercure Broome. Craig began his career with AccorHotels in April 2004 where he held a variety of operational roles at Novotel Vines Swan Valley. In July 2007, Craig undertook the AccorHotels Vivier National Management Traineeship, giving him the opportunity to work across a variety of hotels and departments before assuming the role of Front Office Manager at Ibis Perth in September 2009. Since 2013, Craig has worked intermittently as Caretaker General Manager at ibis Styles Mount Isa, Novotel Palm Cove, ibis Styles Kalgoorlie and more recently Mercure Broome.
A new generation of affluent Chinese are not only flocking to Australia for holidays – some are building a vested interest in the country's tourism boom by buying up some of its well known hotels.
Mantra Group properties and team members from all around Australia have united to raise $79,265 in the past year for the Luke Batty Foundation, the Group's official charity partner. The FY16 donation, which was presented to Rosie Batty at a fundraising event at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas on 5 August, will help the Luke Batty Foundation continue their important work of building awareness of family violence in our community. Luke Batty Foundation CEO and 2015 Australian of the Year Rosie Batty said the Foundation depends on businesses and the community for assistance and support.
The Chief Operating Officer of one of Australia’s largest and most established hotel groups – InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) – has been appointed to the Board of Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA).
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced it has signed an agreement with Spotlight Group Holdings Pty Ltd ("Spotlight") – to debut its leading-edge Aloft brand inMelbourne, Australia's cultural capital. Slated to open in early 2019, the new build 176-room hotel will form the centrepiece of a state-of-the-art mixed- use development located at 402 Chapel Street in South Yarra, known as "402 Chapel," designed by international architect Tim Kobe from the strategic design firm, Eight Inc.
Swiss-Belhotel International has named industry veteran Dinah-Louise Marrs as General Manager for the launch of Swiss-Belhotel Brisbane. Mrs. Marrs brings a wealth of experience to the role having worked in key positions in the hospitality industry in Australia and Thailand over a distinguished 20-year career.
Today Mantra Group launched the world's first Pokemon Go-friendly hotels in Sydney and Melbourne, encouraging fans to 'Pokestop By Our Bar' with free Pokemon Go Lures to increase their chances of catching one of the virtual pocket monsters.
Australia's hotel markets saw mixed results in 2015. Sydney and Melbourne continue to perform well while the resource heavy cities of Darwin, Brisbane and Perth all posted drops in RevPAR. In 2015 Sydney was the best performing hotel market in Australia, recording an occupancy of 85% and an ADR of A$212. After a number of years of almost no supply growth, new properties are finally entering the market. Robust economic growth coupled with rising domestic and international tourism numbers should see demand for rooms continue to grow, offsetting the supply increases. 2016 is set to be another strong year for Sydney's hotel market, with RevPAR likely to grow 1.7% to A$184. Overall we forecast RevPAR to grow at a robust CAAG rate of 2.9% in the years to 2020.
Tania is one of Australia’s leading pastry chefs and has built up a cult following for those that admire her edible works of art that are renowned for both their whimsy and technical expertise. She’s best known for producing elegant, innovative desserts that push the boundaries of baking.
Mr Francis will support Mr Whitbread in his role of Senior Marketing Systems and Data Specialist. A highly skilled CRM consultant, Mr Francis previously worked at the University of Queensland in the capacity of Advancement Systems Application Administrator. In his new position, he will be responsible for building and maintaining a business intelligence data warehouse and reporting system that will allow the marketing team to gain critical business insights.
In the digital space, Mr Bealey will assume the role of Digital Marketing Manager, which will see him work closely with Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ dynamic online team as the company prepares to launch its new website and booking engine. With a strong agency background, most recently as Digital Marketing Manager at Martin and Martin Advertising (MaMA), Mr Bealey holds a wealth of digital marketing experience and is well versed in developing and implementing tailored online marketing strategies.
Ms Hewerdine meanwhile joins Oaks Hotels & Resorts as Marketing and Partnerships Manager, after leaving her three-year post at Stockland as Marketing Manager where she successfully developed and led local and national marketing strategies for the company’s retail portfolio. Now she will work collaboratively with Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ Director of Marketing and Brand Loyalty to further evolve the brand and manage its marketing, advertising and partnerships.
Based out of Oaks Hotels & Resorts’ Brisbane office, Mr Deayton brings more than 10 years of high-level business development and sales experience to the position of Area Director of Sales – Regional Queensland, and joins Oaks Hotels & Resorts after serving as Business Development Manager – Commercial at Greyhound Australia. His appointment is reflective of the company’s commitment to bolstering its already-strong presence in the Queensland market, where it currently has 22 properties and its largest room inventory. Mr Deayton will oversee key Australian and international accounts and direct the company’s sales initiatives for its regional Queensland portfolio.
Mark Wilkinson has been appointed to the position of General Manager, Sofitel Noosa Resort. Mark commenced with AccorHotels in 2002 as Executive Assistant Manager and Food & Beverage Manager, Novotel Palm Cove Resort before his first General Manager appointment at Sofitel Queenstown in 2005. He later became General Manager, Novotel Twin Waters before moving to Mercure and Ibis Brisbane in 2012. His most recent role was General Manager, Pullman and Mercure Brisbane King George Square.
Ajay Vaid has been appointed to the position of General Manager, Novotel Sydney Brighton Beach. Joining AccorHotels in 2003, Ajay completed AccorHotels Emerging Leader Program and was appointed his first General Manager position in 2009 at Ibis Styles Kalgoorlie. Ajay later became General Manager, Novotel Atrium Darwin before moving in 2015 to his most recent role as General Manager, Pullman Palm Cove Sea Temple & Resort & Spa.
Phil Richards has been appointed to the position of General Manager, Pullman Bunker Bay Resort. Starting his career with AccorHotels in 1990 working in hotel operations at Novotel Langley. In 1996 Phil was progressed to Executive Assistant Manager/Operations Manager at the Ibis Perth before being appointed his first General Manager position at the property in 2001. In 2008, Phil was moved to his current role as Regional Director of Sales and Marketing WA.
Michael Daviss has been appointed to the position of General Manager, Pullman Brisbane King George Square. Michael joined AccorHotels in 1999 and has held numerous operational roles across Darwin, Sydney and Brisbane. In 2013, Michael was appointed General Manager, Novotel Sydney Parramatta before moving to his most recent role as General Manager, Novotel Sydney Central.
Chinese investment into the Australian hotel property sector has been prolific over the past three years and, based on recent activity, its likely investors from China will continue to play an increasingly important role in the tourism real estate industry Down Under.
Since announcing a progressive five-year growth strategy earlier this year, leading accommodation provider Oaks Hotels & Resorts, a division of Thai-based Minor Hotel Group, has added another new property to its growing network, today launching Oaks Woolloongabba in Brisbane. The opening takes Oaks Hotels & Resorts' Brisbane inventory to over 1,400 guest rooms, and over 6,000 in total across Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.Signaling the 10th Brisbane property under Oaks Hotels & Resorts' management, the new-build Oaks Woolloongabba – developed by local Brisbane group Majella – delivers a contemporary and convenient accommodation base positioned on the fringe of the CBD in Brisbane's inner south.Costing an estimated $47 million to build, the 80-key serviced apartment tower features a collection of brand new, modern one and two bedroom apartments, defined by contemporary décor, generous living and dining areas, spacious kitchens with stainless steel appliances, laundry facilities, study nooks and private balconies. Oaks Woolloongabba will connect guests with Brisbane's key business, health, education, entertainment and dining precincts, offering corporate travellers and holidaymakers a stylish new accommodation choice on the popular southern side of the Brisbane River.Guests will enjoy a range of resort-style leisure facilities, including a sky-high 20 metre, three-lane lap pool surrounded by timber sun loungers, plus barbeque facilities, two spas and a steam room atop a rooftop terrace boasting city views.Located in the heart of one of Brisbane's most progressive southern suburbs, Oaks Woolloongabba is central to the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as 'The Gabba', as well as the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Mater Hospitals, and Lady Cilento Children's Hospital. Also within easy reach is Brisbane's premier cultural and lifestyle destination, South Bank – home to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA), Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Queensland Museum and over 17 hectares of landscaped parklands and aquatic attractions. A host of world-class eateries, market and boutique shopping, and premier entertainment venues are also located close by to the property.Chief Operations Officer of Oaks Hotels & Resorts, Mr Mike Anderson, commented, "We are pleased to add Oaks Woolloongabba to our growing property network, which currently includes 53 central city hotels and idyllically located resorts across Australia and overseas. This opening not only marks a milestone 10th Brisbane property for Oaks Hotels & Resorts, but also further strengthens our position as a leading provider in the Australian accommodation sector. "Our growth strategy will see us continue to evolve and seek out new management and acquisition opportunities in key CBD, resort and regional destinations, and the launch of Oaks Woolloongabba, in particular, reflects our commitment to the domestic market, in addition to exploring further opportunities overseas. We look forward to announcing additional properties to join our portfolio over the course of the year," he said.Oaks Woolloongabba is located just five kilometres from Brisbane's CBD, a 20-minute drive from the Brisbane Domestic and International Airport and 10 minutes from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.For more information on Oaks Woolloongabba and to book, please visit www.oakshotels.com