Emirates
US$69m luxury resort now underway
Released
on: November 27, 2007, 2:49 am
Press
Release Author: Emirates
Industry:
Consumer
Services
Press
Release Summary: Emirates Hotels & Resorts begin construction
and land regeneration in Wolgan Valley
Press
Release Body: Emirates Airline have commenced the
development of the US$69 million luxury Wolgan Valley Resort
& Spa in Australia’s Blue Mountains, a project
that will see the transformation of 4,000 acres of distressed farming
land into a high-value conservation site.
The
recent ground preparation ceremony by Emirates
is the result of two years of planning, investment and approval
processes and marks the beginning of Emirates’
first resort project outside of Dubai.
Emirates
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa is the second conservation-focused
property within the expanding portfolio of Emirates
Hotels & Resorts - the premier hospitality division
of Emirates Airline.
His
Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive,
Emirates Airline & Group turned the soil at the property
with New South Wales Minister for Tourism, the Honourable Matt Brown
Minister of Parliament; Mr Kerry Bartlett Minister of Parliament,
Federal Member for Macquarie; New South Wales Minister for Environment,
Climate Change and Water, the Honourable Philip Koperberg Minister
of Parliament; Federal Shadow Minister for Transport, Roads and
Tourism, the Honourable Martin Ferguson Minister of Parliament;
and local member and former Lithgow Mayor, Gerard Martin Minister
of Parliament.
Two
per cent of the 4,000 acres will be used to create an exclusive
resort of 40 free-standing suites and a main homestead that will
feature fine dining, a Timeless Spa, pool area and conference facilities.
The remaining land will be progressively restored to its natural
state with the reintroduction of native fauna and flora.
Sheikh
Ahmed and the local dignitaries planted a Wollemi
Pine as the first of tens of thousands of trees that will
help regenerate the Valley. The Wollemi Pine is
one of the world’s oldest and rarest plants that were discovered
deep in the neighbouring Wollemi National Park.
Commencing
the formalities, representatives of the Wiradjuri people
performed a traditional ceremony to prepare the site for its new
use.
Sheikh
Ahmed welcomed guests to the ceremony drawn from local
communities, government, media and the travel industry. He was accompanied
to the Wolgan Valley by a delegation from Emirates
including Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President Commercial
Operations Worldwide; Hans Haensel, Divisional Senior Vice President,
Destination and Leisure Management; Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Divisional
Senior Vice President, Chairman's Office, Facilities, Projects Management
and Procurement and Logistics (Non-Airline); Tony Williams, Vice
President Resorts and Projects; and Joost Heymeijer, Manager Hotel
Projects, Australia.
Sheikh
Ahmed welcomed the beginning of construction: “We
are delighted to see this project taking shape after many years
of careful planning. The search for this location began in 2004
and we are now well on our way to making Emirates Wolgan
Valley Resort & Spa an important asset for Australian
tourism, the local community and Emirates.”
In
late 2009 the resort will welcome its first guests, some 70 per
cent of whom are expected to be international visitors to Australia.
Guests
were treated to a preview of the resort’s world-class hospitality,
sitting down to a luncheon featuring regional produce in a specially
erected marquee on the future site of the main homestead.
Environmental
considerations feature prominently in the plan for the resort including
100 per cent water recycling, green power and a strict waste management
system.
Emirates
has also worked closely with National Parks and Wildlife
Service on a conservation plan to protect and conserve the heritage
value of the property, including wildlife and threatened species
such as the spotted-tailed quoll.
The
development of this luxury
hotel in Australia by Emirates is anticipated
to positively impact the local economy, generating 100 jobs and
increased local and international tourism to the area.
Emirates
Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa was the airline’s
first conservation-focused property. The resort is recognised internationally
for its leadership and contributions to conservation in the region,
and is among the Condé Nast Traveller’s Top
20-Hotel List. The success of Al Maha
is being used as the basis for designs and operations in the Emirates
Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa and the Emirates
Cap Ternay Resort & Spa in the Seychelles; currently
in its design and planning phase, and promising to shape up as one
of the Indian Oceans’ best resorts.
Web
Site: http://www.emirates.com/
Contact
Details: PR contact:
Sarah Shaughnessy
Emirates Corporate Communications
Emirates Headquarters
Near Clock Tower
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel: (+9714) 203.3975
http://www.emirates.com/

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