09-11-2014, 11:34 PM
Kerzner ready to snap up more Aussie resorts under One & Only banner
THE AUSTRALIAN NOVEMBER 10, 2014 12:00AM
Lisa Allen
Property & Tourism Reporter
Sydney
140801 WISH EMBARGO FOR WISH AUGUST 2014 NO REUSE WITHOUT PERMISSION ALAN LEIBMAN ONE & ONLY HAYMAN ISLAND & QAN...
Kerzner CEO Alan Liebman, at One & Only Hayman Island Resort. Picture: Belinda Rolland Source: Supplied
THE ink is barely dry on Dubai-controlled Kerzner International’s plans to take over Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort near Sydney’s Blue Mountains, but the company is already flagging its plans to take over more Australian resorts.
Kerzner International’s One & Only brand operates Mulpha’s Hayman Island resort on the Great Barrier Reef and last week it was revealed it would take over the opulent Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa on behalf of Emirates from early next year.
The deal to bring the 40-suite Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa under the One & Only banner was always on the cards given Kerzner International is 46 per cent-owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, which has owned the Middle Eastern carrier since April.
Kerzner International chief executive Alan Leibman said he had started talking to Emirates about taking over the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, north of Lithgow, 18 months ago. “We could not be prouder to be handed something like this,” Mr Leibman said. “I think what we are going to do is enhance it, for both international guests and the Australian market.”
Mr Leibman said he had held meetings with Australian government officials, who had been “very supportive for the new things we are trying to set up in this country”.
One & Only president and chief operating officer Mark DeCocinis added that the group was “totally committed to growing One & Only (resorts) here in Australia”.
Kerzner International oversaw an $80 million facelift of Hayman Island, which is trading strongly.
The company is yet to reveal its plans for Emirates Wolgan Valley, located on a former 2800ha dairy farm about 150km from Sydney and developed by Emirates at a cost of $125m. Wolgan Valley opened in 2009.
THE AUSTRALIAN NOVEMBER 10, 2014 12:00AM
Lisa Allen
Property & Tourism Reporter
Sydney
140801 WISH EMBARGO FOR WISH AUGUST 2014 NO REUSE WITHOUT PERMISSION ALAN LEIBMAN ONE & ONLY HAYMAN ISLAND & QAN...
Kerzner CEO Alan Liebman, at One & Only Hayman Island Resort. Picture: Belinda Rolland Source: Supplied
THE ink is barely dry on Dubai-controlled Kerzner International’s plans to take over Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort near Sydney’s Blue Mountains, but the company is already flagging its plans to take over more Australian resorts.
Kerzner International’s One & Only brand operates Mulpha’s Hayman Island resort on the Great Barrier Reef and last week it was revealed it would take over the opulent Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa on behalf of Emirates from early next year.
The deal to bring the 40-suite Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa under the One & Only banner was always on the cards given Kerzner International is 46 per cent-owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai, which has owned the Middle Eastern carrier since April.
Kerzner International chief executive Alan Leibman said he had started talking to Emirates about taking over the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort, north of Lithgow, 18 months ago. “We could not be prouder to be handed something like this,” Mr Leibman said. “I think what we are going to do is enhance it, for both international guests and the Australian market.”
Mr Leibman said he had held meetings with Australian government officials, who had been “very supportive for the new things we are trying to set up in this country”.
One & Only president and chief operating officer Mark DeCocinis added that the group was “totally committed to growing One & Only (resorts) here in Australia”.
Kerzner International oversaw an $80 million facelift of Hayman Island, which is trading strongly.
The company is yet to reveal its plans for Emirates Wolgan Valley, located on a former 2800ha dairy farm about 150km from Sydney and developed by Emirates at a cost of $125m. Wolgan Valley opened in 2009.