Hilton ponders more WA sites

Hilton ponders more WA sites

Hilton has confirmed it is “very keen” to pursue further opportunities in Western Australia, following last week’s announcement it would open its first Australian DoubleTree property in Karratha.
Vice president development Australasia Robert Scullin told The Nibbler’s sister publication Travel Today the hotel chain was considering additional properties in the region on the back of the resources boom.
He revealed construction costs in the region, traditionally high, had been made viable by its new cost effective construction model combining traditional and modern techniques.
The lower two floors of the new Karratha property will be built using traditional methods, with the upper six storeys to be effectively pre-built, transported to the site and slotted into place. It is a similar format used on housing projects, Scullin said.
“The new model has certainly reduced the construction time and the size of the teams required to build a hotel,” he said.
Scullin revealed the firm was targeting significant Australia expansion from its current eight properties although no target number has been set.
He confirmed more Hilton properties would be unveiled in Australasia over the next 12 months, with some of those in Australia, although he identified the “tight financial market” as a challenge.
“We’d like to have a nice network of Australian hotels,” he said, adding the firm was looking beyond WA.
In addition to new-build opportunities, the firm is eyeing potential conversions in state capitals, with an additional Perth property high on the list.
“The Perth market is where every hotel would like to have more inventory,” he said.
Its DoubleTree brand has opened 25 properties in the Middle East and Asia over the first six months of the year. The property in Karratha will feature 144 guest rooms, three function rooms and an all day restaurant and bar. It is expected to open in mid 2014.
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
Latest News

First look at the new Crowne Plaza Sydney Macquarie Park
If you've ever been to Macquarie Park you will know that this will be an oasis in a busy business precinct.

CTM welcomes Colombia’s Trafalgar Tours to it global network
Looking for a conferencing location that offers something a bit different, then look no further.

New round of funding to help get events to regional Victoria
With a maximum of $40k up for grabs to support an event, best get your application in quick.

ONYX Hospitality Group gears up for sales blitz at AIME 2025
Last night not only did we get the scoop on the hotels, but also the scoop on a cracking inner-city Thai restaurant.

Elements of Byron makes luxury inclusive with accessibility initiatives
In case you needed another reason to visit Elements, this is it.

Lonely Planet launches new LGBTQ+ Travel Guide
Not so niche any more, cashing in on the pink dollar is proving to be a nice little earner.

MCEC opens new accessible facilities
Great to see that accessibility continues to be a focus for the conference industry.

Flight Centre launches new tag line
Their first choice was 'Finger-lickin' Good' but apparently Colonel Sanders' lawyers weren't having it.

AIME reveals AIMalfi FESTA theme at il Mercato Centrale welcome party
There will be plenty of cold meats and cheeses served here. Send a home care package to the following address...

Corporate travel agency TravelPerk raises $325m as PE interest in travel tech booms
Apparently investors are falling over themselves to invest in travel tech.Time to get on the old Chat GPT.

Virgin suspends Adelaide-Darwin direct flights as part of flight schedule shake-up
Qantas and Jetstar will continue to service the route, but if that's not your cup of tea, there is always The Ghan!

Blockbuster films star in VisitBritain’s new global tourism campaign
We are presuming less savoury films showing the UK underbelly are not represented here.

Successful Sydney Swans cruise on Crown Princess tipped to appear in second round
We may be biased, but this cruise kicked goals, and we even got to take a dip in the Huon on our Tahune walk.

Booking.com Traveller Review Awards reveal Australia’s top 10 most welcoming cities for 2025
If like us, you love a true crime podcast, you may be surprised to see which Aussie city topped the list.

Cathay Pacific partners with Michelin-starred Yat Tung Heen
Food in the air is only getting better and we're looking forward to the first Michelin-starred Airbus or Boeing.

IMM North America sets attendance record with 9,000+ travel meetings in NYC
Next time someone in the office tells you they have a lot of meetings, show them this article.

Agents rave about Lindblad Expeditions journey to Antarctica
Raves are all the buzz with the Gen Z'ers at the moment, we're sure they'd enjoy a trip like this too.

White Cliffs Underground Motel reopens in March
Coober Pedy eat your heart out.

Rydges Australia Square opens after reimagined refurb of hotel
Staycation or Sydney visitation, this is walking distance to pretty much all you need to see in a quick stop.

Australian Government takes over $50m REX debt
There are a lot of zeroes to keep REX in the air. Regional Australia will thank you. The balance sheet? Not so much.

ICC Sydney 2024 event case study wrap up
Want to hear about the ICC's biggest events of 2024? You came to the right place.

Thailand to debut health/wellness offering at Expo 2025 Japan
One thing is for sure - health tourism shows no sign of slowing down.

Laguna Golf Lang Co preferred by Japan’s Taiheiyo Club, joining Aussie venues
With sports tourism on the rise, it makes sense to pair up with other similar clubs around the world.

Select Aussies can now apply for easier US entry
We hope President Trump doesn't move the goal posts after we apply for this easy access visa.

The ONE message that California’s tourism industry has for Australians
Delegates from California's tourism industry share how Australians can best support the state.

South African Airways adds two aircraft to fleet helping popular Perth route
We hope there is plenty of room in the overhead for declared biltong and koeksisters when you have your next braai.

dnata Catering & Retail expands Melbourne Airport facility
25 million meals, that's a lot of breadrolls and would you like the chicken or the beef with that?

Perth tops Australian hotel occupancy in 2024, WA regions see surges over 10%
We've long been fans of the west and it's news like this that has us thinking about another trip.

Uncertain future for The Star hospitality venues if casino operator goes bust
There will be more than gold stars on the yearly report of the accountant who can get them out of this mess.

Camino Token president says new listings may open floodgates for cryptocurrency in travel
Travels crypto revolution is on the way (apparently). Don't fall behind... Click here!

Accor wraps up 2024 with record growth for Sofitel, Sofitel Legend, MGallery and Emblems
After experiencing the mesmerising Maud Bailly speech at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth opening, it's no wonder...

BEIA appoints Rachel Cook as its new chair
A great swoop here for BEIA! Best of luck to Rachel on the new role.

Atura Wellington unveils newly refurbished rooms in the New Zealand hotel
Atura Wellington, the former Thorndon Hotel by Rydges, has unveiled its newly refurbished rooms in the New Zealand hotel. The rooms were completed following a full refurbishment of all public spaces as part of a broader redevelopment plan. All 108 guest rooms have now been upgraded. The hotel is in the historic Thorndon neighbourhood and […]

Melbourne Airport international terminal update but questions remain over transport links
Relief to the Melburnians who have gone as far as slamming the city's dining when posting their thoughts on socials.

Qantas Frequent Flyers alerted to email scam
Given the talk around using your points, no doubt this one will catch a few unwary FFs. Beware!

Marriott International opens The Park Lane Hong Kong, Autograph Collection in Causeway Bay
After a recent stay in an Autograph Collection Hotel in Singapore, we look forward to a quirky Hongkers offering.