Australian Conservation Resort Reaches First Milestone
Released
on: June 19, 2008, 8:19 am
Press
Release Author: Emirates
Industry:
Entertainment
Press
Release Summary: Emirates Hotels & Resorts announces that
its luxury Australian conservation resort, Wolgan Valley Resort
& Spa, has reached its first milestone with the completion
of the first of 40 villas, and the planting of the first 1,000
native trees on site
Press
Release Body: Emirates Hotels & Resorts’ 4,000
acre Australian luxury conservation resort, Wolgan Valley Resort
& Spa, has reached its first milestone with the completion
of the first of 40 villas, and the planting of the first 1,000
native trees on site.
Tim
Clark, President Emirates Airline,
visited Australia recently to inspect the site; where he met with
many of the 180 workers during his visit, most of whom live in
the local area.
“The
Wolgan Valley project will be one of the world’s
strongest combinations of high quality, luxury tourism with outstanding
conservation values, and a highly sensitive design approach to
environmental impact”, Mr Clark said.
The
major tree planting programme at the luxury Australian
resort coincides also with the completion of the phase one
removal of invasive, non-indigenous flora. Replacing noxious plants
and weeds with indigenous plants will stablise sensitive local
river banks and erosion areas, and bolster the natural re-seeding
of valuable plants that form a critical source of food, shelter
and breeding locations for the wildlife on the reserve.
The
project involves a comprehensive regeneration and conservation
programme which will include, over time, the development of a
feral-proof fence, the planting of over 10,000 native trees and
the reintroduction of the native spotted-quoll, amongst other
endangered and locally extinct native Australian animals.
Solar
panels and rainfall water-capture tanks are also being installed
as part of the environmental focus of the project. The resort
will ultimately have over 100 solar panels that will meet over
75% of all its hot water needs, significantly reducing the resort’s
energy consumption, and therefore its resources footprint.
“The
project team is making great progress, and there is little doubt
that this resort will follow in the footsteps of Emirates’
other luxury conservation resort, the Dubai-based Al
Maha Desert Resort & Spa. These resorts are some
of the world’s leaders in sustainable development, conservation
and responsible, luxury travel,” Mr Clark said.
Emirates
commenced its conservation-based tourism approach 12 years ago
with the creation of the Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa
that forms part of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve
(DDCR). The Reserve makes up 4.7% of Dubai’s total
land area, with wildlife and habitat research programmes actively
supported by Emirates, having provided almost AED 10 million to
the DDCR over the past five years.
Due
to open in late 2009, the Wolgan
Valley Resort & Spa will offer guests unparalleled
luxury, as well as experiences of Australia’s unique wilderness
and wildlife, its aboriginal traditions and its heritage. Set
within the Australian Great Dividing Range, and surrounded by
three National Parks which make up one of the planet’s largest
proclaimed World Heritage Areas, this secluded resortwill occupy
just 2% of the 4,000 acres reserve; feature 40 free-standing villas
and a world-class spa facility; and partner the best of locally-sourced
food and wines with the superior services that Emirates is renowned
for worldwide.
About Client
Emirates Hotels & Resorts is Emirates Airline’s
premier hospitality management division, an ambitious concept,
where unrivalled exclusivity in service and luxury is combined
with unique and truly breathtaking locations.
Emirates
Hotels & Resorts is developing a diverse range of
properties around the world. City-based properties include The
Harbour Hotel & Residence and Green Lakes
Serviced Apartments, both located in Dubai Conservation-based
resorts include Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa (UAE),
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa (Australia) and
Cap Ternay Resort & Spa (Seychelles).
Web
Site: http://www.emirates.com/
Contact
Details: Emirates Hotels & Resorts PR contact:
Chiara Sarzi Amadè
Emirates Corporate Communications
The Emirates Group Headquarters
P.O. Box 686
Dubai
United Arab Emirates www.emirateshotelsresorts.com
(+9714) 708 2171