Outrigger eyes off further expansion

Outrigger eyes off further expansion
By admin


Outrigger’s Australian comeback has seen the Hawaii-based hotel group expand its portfolio to four properties in Queensland.

Most recently, in January it opened the Outrigger Surfers Paradise marking the group’s return to the Gold Coast, the site of its first Australian venture back in 1998.
Vice president operations and projects Asia Pacific, Michael Cowan, explained that Outrigger had started moving Back towards Australia and South East Asia around five years ago.
“We realised that we had reached the capacity of the brand in Hawaii,” he told Travel Today. “Asia Pacific will be driving a lot of what goes on from now on.”
Fortunately, there was still a good awareness of the brand in Australia. “That has really worked in our favour,” Cowan said.
Wholesalers had welcomed its return, he claimed, while recognition of the brand in Australia had helped to drive business to Outrigger’s South East Asian properties with Australia among the top markets for its properties in Phuket, Bali and Fiji.
While the majority of guests in its Australian properties are domestic travellers, with the strong dollar making them a difficult sell for international markets, Cowan anticipated that China would be huge over the coming years.
Meanwhile, the brand is looking to grow its Australian presence and is investigating opportunities in gateway cities, specifically Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. “We won’t head towards the regional areas,” he confirmed.
The city locations would see the firm develop its MICE offering, but Cowan stressed that leisure would always come first, with the brand looking to create a resort experience in city centres.
But the challenges facing the firm were the high cost of building in Australia. While new builds resulted in “better product,” rebranding proved a more affordable option.
This year, Outrigger will open two new Vietnamese properties with other options in Japan and one in China’s Hainan Island.
It currently has 15 properties in the pipeline in the region, and targeting 20 to 25 in the region within 15 years, with 20% of those in Australia.
 

Latest News

  • Hotels

Premium hotel operator ERDI launches it’s own academy in heart of Melbourne

ERDI, a private collection of premium hotels and hospitality businesses, has announced the launch of ERDI Academy, the next chapter of hospitality education and the legacy of founders Eva and Les Erdi. Starting in the mid-1980s, ERDI offers hospitality education with a commitment to community enrichment from its base at its Mercure Welcome Melbourne on […]

  • Destinations

Tropical North Queensland action-packed events calendar for adventure enthusiasts

Sporting enthusiasts and adventure seekers are gearing up for an action-packed year in Tropical North Queensland, with a lineup of sports events and adrenaline-pumping experiences set to take centre stage in 2024. Leading the charge is the highly-anticipated return of the Crankworx World Tour ‘Paradise Edition’ to Cairns from 22-26 May 2024. The mountain biking […]

  • Aviation
  • Sustainability

Singapore Airlines Group first to receive SAF from Neste as AU/NZ play catchup

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has signed an agreement with Neste to purchase 1,000 tonnes of neat Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel TM. The purchase makes SIA and Scoot the first carriers to receive Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) produced at Neste’s refinery in the country, at Singapore Changi Airport. The milestone will also mark the first […]

  • Aviation

Qantas Red Tail sale discounts more than 200,000 fares

Qantas has launched its latest International Red Tail sale, discounting more than 200,000 fares to Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu and other US destinations, plus Vancouver. The discounted seats are available to book either as a cash fare or as a reward seat using points. Thirty routes are on sale, including 10 for under $1,199 […]

  • Health & Wellness

Bannisters by the Sea unveils retreat style package for new mothers

Boutique hotel Bannisters by the Sea has revealed a brand-new package for new mothers – Bannisters Mummymoon – right in time for Mother’s Day. Designed to nurture and rejuvenate new mothers, this luxurious escape prioritises postpartum self-care and wellbeing in a serene coastal setting. Reconnecting and Recharging: The two-night Mummymoon allows mums to reconnect with […]

  • Destinations

APT offers destination incentives to enjoy the Best of Asia

APT Luxury Travel launches has launched its Asia Sale featuring 20 trips, with journeys through Vietnam and Cambodia as highlights, as well as opportunities to explore Japan, South Korea, India and Sri Lanka. It’s ‘Spiritual Cambodia and the Mekong’ land and river cruise tour for example takes guests on an all-inclusive 11-day journey through Vietnam […]

  • Travel Agents

Disney Days returns with Inside Out 2 showing in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Auckland

Time is running out for agents to register their Expression of Interest to an exclusive screening of the much-anticipated Disney and Pixar film, Inside Out 2, hosted by Disney Destinations Australia/New Zealand team and partner United Airlines. Places are limited and applications must be in by 17 May. In addition to the screening of the […]

  • Cruise

Aranui Cruises slashes prices with No Single Supplement and Half Price offers

French Polynesian cargo cruise line Aranui Cruises is slashing thousands off its 2025 Austral and Marquesas Islands cruises with an autumn sale offering 50 per cent off the second guest in a twin share room and no single supplement for solo travellers. On sale until June 21, 2024, Aranui’s 12-day roundtrip voyage from Papeete to […]

  • Destinations

Raes on Wategos celebrates 30th birthday and guests get the presents

World famous luxury boutique hotel Raes on Wategos, in Byron Bay, has launched its 30th birthday celebrations with a Raes Indulgent Escape package. Available for all stays of two nights or more, from June to August, the curated package offers an invitation to indulge in a shared celebration of Raes 30th birthday, whilst revelling in […]