Starwood Hotels & Resorts is accelerating its expansion plans in Oceania, with six new properties set to open in the region in 2014.
Announced at the Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) in Melbourne this week, the hotel group has unveiled plans for new openings in Australia, Fiji, Samoa and New Caledonia. These will add to Starwood’s existing portfolio of 14 properties in the Oceania region, including nine in Australia.
“We are embarking on a milestone year for Starwood’s growth and development in the Pacific,” said Sean Hunt, the company’s regional vice president for the Pacific. “I am confident that the strength of our brands, especially Sheraton, will fulfil robust demand for upper-upscale hospitality offerings in Australia, the region’s mature market, as well as in emerging resort isles.”
The six new properties opening in 2014 will be the Sheraton Melbourne Hotel and Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane in Australia, the Sheraton Resort & Spa Tokoriki Island in Fiji, Sheraton New Caledonia Deva Resort & Spa, Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Resort and Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel.
In Australia, Starwood said that rising demand and a lack of new supply presents “significant growth opportunities” for the company.
“Australia is benefitting from record low supply and the global travel revolution, with continued increase in domestic travel and a robust outlook for international visitors led by the growing number of Chinese travellers,” said Matthew Fry, senior vice president of acquisitions & development for Starwood Asia Pacific. “Starwood’s powerful network, global booking platforms and loyal customer base enable developers and investors to capitalise on this upswing in development.”
By the end of this year, Starwood expects to have 20 hotels and resorts operating in Oceania, with the Westin Perth expected to join in 2017.
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