(SYDNEY) 12 November 2001 – Newcastle moved into a new era of growth today with the official start of construction of a new harbourfront hotel, Crowne Plaza Newcastle – the first hotel to be built in the city for more than 15 years.
The spectacular 177-room Crowne Plaza Newcastle is scheduled to open in early 2003 and will provide the region with an international-standard hotel.
Speaking at the special sod-turning ceremony to mark the event, the Chief Operating Officer in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific for Six Continents Hotels, Mr. Tony South said: “Crowne Plaza is a powerful brand internationally.”
“By establishing a Crowne Plaza hotel in Newcastle, we are seeking to increase the region’s global exposure and attract a greater share of both domestic and international business as well as leisure and meeting travellers.
“Newcastle is an important market for Six Continents Hotels – its prominence as a major business centre is increasing, it is a feeder market to the popular Hunter region and it is recognised as an established tourism destination in New South Wales.”
NSW Premier Bob Carr, who presided over today’s ceremony, welcomed the development as a step forward for tourism not only in the Newcastle region but throughout the entire state.
Melbourne based Becton Corporation, the developer and builder of Crowne Plaza-Newcastle, has built more than $2.6 billion worth of quality commercial and residential projects, over the past 25 years.
The company’s Managing Director, Hamish Macdonald, said Becton was delighted to have the opportunity to work with Six Continents on such a ground-breaking project for Newcastle.
“The viability of a new hotel is to a great extent dictated by the market and the expertise of the operator and we believe that Six Continents is an exceptional hotel group that is more than capable of overseeing a new era of growth and prosperity in Newcastle’s tourism industry,” Mr Macdonald said.
“We are proud to be able to bring our skills to this project and to contribute to its ultimate success.”
Upon completion, Crowne Plaza Newcastle will join other Crowne Plaza hotels and resorts in the region including,Terrigal, Coogee Beach, Canberra,Auckland, Vanuatu, Port Moresby and more than 150 Crowne Plaza properties in 43 countries worldwide as Six Continents Hotels continues to roll out the brand in Australia and throughout the region.
Six Continent’s Hotel’s Mr Tony South said that like all Crowne Plaza hotels, Crowne Plaza Newcastle will provide comprehensive meeting and conference facilities to cater to the growing need for business function venues in Newcastle and further afield.
“Crowne Plaza Newcastle will provide a definitive boost to the level of upscale hotel accommodation available in Newcastle and will set the standard for future developments in the region,” Mr South added.
Media enquiries please phone:
Luke Starr or Jane Morey, Prue MacSween & Associates on (02) 9327 4333
Or Suzanne Northey, Becton Corporation on 0414 496 287
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