Accor, Courcouronnes, France, announced on Sunday that it has partnered with Ayers Rock Resort, an integrated resort complex of five hotels in Yulara, Australia, located near the Ayers Rock landmark.
The five hotels include Sails in the Desert, Desert Gardens Hotel, Outback Pioneer & Lodge, Emu Walk Apartments, and Lost Camel Hotel. The hotels will retain their names, but will be aligned to corresponding brands in Accor’s portfolio. The hotels will continue to be managed by Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, Sydney.
- New initiatives that will be included in the partnership are:
- $4.9 million (US$4.91 million) million investment in the national indigenous training academy at Ayers Rock by the Australian federal government which will create 200 indigenous positions at Ayers Rock Resort and 100 traineeships annually with graduates to be placed within Accor’s national network of 160 hotels
- Major promotion of the Resort in emerging Asian markets
- First-ever charter flight from China in January 2012
- Opening of new Conference & Exhibition Centre in August 2012
- Extensive refurbishment of hotels, starting with Sails in the Desert Hotel
- The launch of a new “under the stars” 5-star dining experience (called Tali Wiru)
- Introduction of new activities and experiences
Establishment of a pioneering Indigenous Training Academy to develop the careers of over 300 indigenous Australians in the tourism and hospitality sectors