InterContinental Comes to Queensland: IHG signs first InterContinental Resort in Australia

IHG signs first InterContinental Resort in Australia

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has today assumed management of one of Australia’s best-known 5-star resorts, the former Hyatt Regency Sanctuary Cove, on the Gold Coast.

Hotel owner, Mulpha Sanctuary Cove (Developments) Pty Ltd, reached a commercial agreement with IHG to manage the resort, which was effective midnight, 5 December.

Under the new agreement, IHG will manage the resort’s day-to-day operations in addition to implementing the superior international standards of the InterContinental brand.

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort will be IHG’s first InterContinental Resort in Australia, and will introduce the InterContinental marque to Queensland. The resort joins a regional network of award-winning InterContinental hotels in the Australasia region, including properties in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Wellington and Fiji.

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort will be the second IHG property managed for Mulpha, following the acquisition of InterContinental Sydney in 2004. IHG has managed InterContinental Sydney since 1985.

“We are delighted to be entering this extended relationship with IHG and positioning the property with the strength of the InterContinental brand,” said Mulpha’s head of hotel investments, Lloyd Donaldson.

“The new agreement will also provide significant co-operative and strategic marketing and promotional activity for both properties within Australia, and internationally as part of IHG.”

IHG’s new management at Sanctuary Cove demonstrates a show of confidence in the future of Queensland tourism by the world’s largest hotel company, and follows recent meetings IHG has held with the Queensland government to increase its portfolio in the Sunshine State.

Bill Edwards, IHG’s Head of Operations Australasia said the group was delighted to extend their long-standing relationship with Mulpha, owner of IHG’s Australian InterContinental flagship, InterContinental Sydney.

“We’ve developed strong synergies between our two organisations over the years, in recognition of the InterContinental brand’s proven ability to deliver a diversified international and domestic market mix in the luxury segment and consistently strong returns.”

“InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort will make good company within our growing portfolio of InterContinental resorts in the Australasian region which includes celebrated resorts in Bali, Fiji, Tahiti, Koh Samui and most recently, Danang, We’re excited to add one of the Gold Coast’s most renowned resorts to this collection,” Mr. Edwards added.

The agreement has received the endorsement of peak national industry body, Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF).

TTF chief executive John Lee said the new agreement sees the coming together of two tourism and hospitality powerhouses.

“IHG has a global reputation for great service and adding Mulpha’s Sanctuary Cove Resort to IHG’s portfolio will assure its future as a desirable destination for leisure travellers and business visitors from across Australia and around the world,” Mr. Lee said.

Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) managing director Rodger Powell said the local launch of InterContinental Resorts was testimony to Australia’s reputation as a proven market both domestically and internationally for high quality, luxury accommodation and service.

“The InterContinental Resorts marque combined with IHG’s management will lend weight and experience to that reputation,” Mr. Powell added.

Located just minutes to the Gold Coast theme parks, Tambourine Mountain and the Hinterland, and the famous Gold Coast beaches, the 243-room luxury resort is tucked in the beautiful surrounds of Hope Island and boasts marina, golf green, beach lagoon and  gardens views.

InterContinental Sanctuary Cove Resort will join a network of 168 InterContinental properties globally and over 55,000 guest rooms worldwide, located in more than 60 countries. The brand continues to grow with 48 to be added globally in the next three to five years.