OUTRIGGER SAILS INTO NEW CALEDONIA
HONOLULU, Oahu, Hawaii -- Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has added the
prestigious Kuendu Beach Resort in New Caledonia to its portfolio of resorts
in the Australia-South Pacific region. The appointment to manage the
oceanfront resort, which is located just north of Noumea, the capital,
brings the total number of Outrigger hotels and resort condominiums to 37
(both those operating and those under development), representing nearly
12,000 rooms and apartments in Hawaii, Micronesia, Australia and the South
Pacific.
Outrigger's appointment to manage Kuendu Beach Resort coincided with the
announcement of a two-year, $7.8 million redevelopment of the property,
which began in January with demolition of some of the older structures on
the site. The resort will continue to operate fully throughout the
redevelopment, and it will assume the Outrigger name upon completion.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts' Australian division, Outrigger Australia, will
oversee the management of the resort throughout the redevelopment period.
"The redevelopment of Kuendu Beach Resort provides the perfect opportunity
to integrate the Outrigger service philosophy with the existing property,"
said Perry Sorenson, Chief Operating for Outrigger Hotels & Resorts. "The
goal is to provide visitors with an authentic island experience, both
through involvement with the community and the accurate presentation of the
culture of a place."
Owner-developer Henri Morini indicated that Outrigger Hotels & Resorts was
selected to manage the redeveloped hotel as a result of the company's 54
years of experience in successfully designing, operating, and marketing
resort properties in the Pacific region, and more recently in Australia, one
of New Caledonia's major sources of visitors.
"We are excited about this opportunity, which we view as strategic in terms
of our ongoing efforts to strengthen Outrigger's position in the Australian
and near-Australian tourism markets, and to be part of what will ultimately
be one of New Caledonia's most significant tourist destinations," said Dave
Lawrence, Vice President and General Director of Outrigger Australia.
Kuendu Beach Resort currently comprises 26 luxury bungalows, including six
over-water units, along with restaurants and conference facilities. On
completion of the redevelopment, the resort will boast 20 additional
over-water bungalows, as well as new restaurants, a reception area and
conference center. New recreation facilities will include two swimming
pools, waterslides, and a protected area in Kuendu Bay. Other exciting
additions will include a large aquarium, a turtle hatchery and sanctuary, a
boat wharf and a wedding chapel.
Bill Henderson, Vice President of Business Development at Outrigger's
corporate offices in Honolulu added, "Our success in operating upscale
beachfront properties in Queensland, one of Australia's major resort
destinations, has served as a catalyst for further development in Australia
and the region, and we expect to announce additional Outrigger resort
projects in Queensland soon."
Henderson indicated that in addition to management of properties in key
tourist centers, Outrigger's long-term strategy for Australia includes
operation of full-service hotels in gateway cities such as Brisbane, Sydney,
Melbourne and Perth. At the same time, the company places considerable
strategic importance on continued efforts to seek appropriate opportunities
in New Zealand.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is division of Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., the
largest locally owned lodging company in Hawaii and one of the fastest
growing lodging companies in the Pacific. Under its two hotel brands -
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts and OHANA Hotels of Hawaii - the company
currently operates or has under development 37 hotels and resorts throughout
the Pacific region, representing nearly 12,000 hotel rooms and condominium
units in Hawaii, Micronesia, Australia and the South Pacific. Outrigger's
affiliate, Outrigger Lodging Services, operates nearly two dozen hotels and
resorts throughout the U.S. Mainland.
For reservations or information, call your preferred travel professional or
Outrigger Hotels and Resorts toll-free at 800-OUTRIGGER (1-800-688-7444)
within the U.S., Guam and Canada. Outrigger's toll-free number is available
internationally via AT&T's new direct 800Ó Service. Elsewhere call
303-369-7777. Internet users can access information on Outrigger via the
World Wide Web and www.outrigger.com and Outrigger's e-mail address is
reservations@outrigger.com