A TOURISM INDUSTRY accelerator backed by some of Queensland’s biggest corporates, Amadeus and Brisbane Airport Corporation, has officially opened.

Named Horizons and facilitated by corporate accelerator program Slingshot, the program is designed to help travel and tourism start-ups secure the traction, viability, investment and partnership opportunities needed to succeed. 

Start-ups accepted into Horizons will receive bespoke training and resources, a support team of mentors, access to co-working space and $30,000 of initial seed investment with the potential for a further $100,000 of follow-on funding. 

They will also be able to tap into the expertise of some of the best travel business minds in the region with support from Amadeus – the travel industry global distribution system – and Brisbane Airport Corporation. 

“With more than 30 start-ups and 60 partners on board Amadeus Next, we continue to grow our start-up community in Asia Pacific,” Amadeus Asia Pacific  vice president for corporate strategy and business development Simon Akeroyd said.

“We look for like-minded partners and organisations that share our passion for innovation and travel technology to pilot with start-ups and validate their solutions and business models. Combining its people, vision and approach, Slingshot is a perfect example of this.”

Amadeus established Amadeus Next in 2015, a travel tech community to unite travel tech start-ups with companies and organisations who are equally excited about travel technology and looking to support, accelerate and scale Startups into leading companies.

Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO and managing director Julieanne Alroe said, “The growth and development of Queensland’s travel and tourism industry is inextricably linked to the future of Brisbane Airport Corporation. While our investment in infrastructure and partnerships are an important foundation, we’re looking to support new and innovative ideas that will drive further growth. Queensland is the obvious choice for Australia’s first travel and tourism accelerator and we can’t wait to see what emerges.” 

Start-ups can apply for the 12-week Horizons program, kicking off on October 3. Slingshot will operate two cohorts simultaneously, one based in Brisbane and a regional accelerator based in one of the world’s great tourism destinations - Cairns.

Slingshot CEO Karen Lawson said every industry faced disruption and the tourism industry was no exception. 

“We’ve already seen the impact of collaborative consumption business models like Airbnb and now we’re excited to invest in up and coming start-ups and scaling businesses as they shift the dial,” Ms Lawson said.

“With the tourism industry employing nearly 10 percent of people in Queensland, there is a huge opportunity to cross pollinate a range of products and services, like accommodation, leisure, retail, recreation services, transport and hospitality, with cutting edge technological developments like AI, big data, AR, VR and frictionless payments, to drive commercial outcomes.”

The 12-week program is led by start-up specialist and Queensland local, Colin Kinner, who has more than 20 years experience working with high-growth technology-based companies.

The Queensland Government’s $420 million Advance Queensland initiative is supporting the Slingshot-run Horizons accelerator. 

Queensland Innovation Minister Leeanne Enoch said, “Horizons provides start-up entrepreneurs and business innovators with the support they need to thrive in the Queensland tourism industry. Not only does Slingshot cultivate local talent through first-class mentoring assistance, they also connect them to investors and potential business partners.”

www.horizons.slingshotters.com

ends

MANTRA GROUP it has entered into an agreement with the Deague Group to acquire the Australian-owned Art Series Hotel Group for $52.5 million.

The acquisition will see seven luxury hotels – representing more than 1,000 guest rooms and including a number of conference and event facilities, restaurants and luxury hotel-style amenities – added to Mantra Group’s portfolio of 128 properties.

The seven hotels are: The Cullen, Prahran, Melbourne; The Larwill Studio, North Melbourne; The Olsen, South Yarra, Melbourne; The Blackman, St Kilda Road, Melbourne; The Chen, Box Hill, Melbourne; which is currently in the final stages of construction and is set to open in November 2017; The Johnson, Spring Hill, Brisbane; and The Watson, Walkerville, Adelaide. 

Each hotel is inspired and dedicated to Australian contemporary artists, infusing the namesake artist’s works and personality throughout the hotel to create unique art-inspired experiences. 

Mantra Group Chief Executive Officer Bob East said recognising the strength of the brand in the market, each business would continue to operate under the Art Series brand.

“These boutique properties are well suited to both leisure and corporate travellers and are located in some of Australia’s hottest art and cultural hubs, most of which Mantra Group already has a long-standing and high performing presence,” Mr East said.

“This acquisition enhances our existing portfolio and presents a unique opportunity for Mantra Group to increase its footprint across three key locations (Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide) in a single transaction.

“This is a rare opportunity to acquire a collection of exceptional hotels and one which is expected to make a significant contribution to Mantra Group’s business.

“These hotels have been operated to the highest standards by a passionate and dedicated team, and we are delighted to welcome such iconic and favoured properties to our growing network of hotels and resorts.

“We look forward to working with the owners, team members and guests to ensure a smooth transition.”

Settlement of the ‘Art Series Acquisition’ is expected to be completed in late 2017, subject to closing conditions customary for an acquisition of this nature, Mr East said,.

Mantra already has more than 21,500 rooms in properties under management across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and Hawaii.

Arts Series Hotel Group transformed the Australian hotel market when it launched in 2009. Inspired by and dedicated to Australian contemporary artists, each hotel takes design inspiration from the namesake artist.

With original artworks and prints adorning the walls and halls, the multifaceted art inspired experience is complete with dedicated art channels, art libraries, art tours and art utensils on supply. Glass bottomed pools, private outdoor decking areas, state of the art gymnasiums, massive communal spaces and boutique conference and events spaces complete the picture. www.artserieshotels.com.au

www.mantragroup.com.au

ends

THE International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney), has been awarded a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold rating, recognising its all-encompassing approach to sustainability.

The LEED ratings system, developed by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), is the foremost program for buildings that are designed, constructed, maintained and operated for improved environmental and human health performance. Its status is also expected to attract more business events.  

NSW Minister for Finance, Services and Property, Victor Dominello, said the $1.5 billion venue, delivered by Darling Harbour Live, is the centrepiece of the $3.5 billion rejuvenation of the Darling Harbour precinct, and an important part of the NSW Government’s focus on sustainability.

“ICC Sydney is recognised as a leader in sustainable building design. The integrated venue has been cleverly designed to minimise energy and water consumption, whilst still delivering world class amenities for business events and live entertainment.”

ICC Sydney CEO Geoff Donaghy, CEO said the LEED Gold certification would help attract more business events to the venue.

“Today, the business events industry is more focused than ever before on ensuring we act in an environmentally sustainable and responsible way, and this is something we are seeing translate into client requirements,” Mr Donaghty said.

“ICC Sydney has secured over 850 bookings to date and we expect this accreditation will help us increase our competitive advantage on the global stage and continue to foster the NSW visitor economy. It also backs our commitment to providing world class facilities and experiences for our guests, alongside the ultimate in quality, choice and flexibility for the world’s leaders and thinkers, to meet, collaborate and innovate.”

The LEED Gold certification recognises ICC Sydney’s work in sustainability including: Reuse of 100,000 cubic metres of concrete from the original brownfield site; use of 96 percent recycled steel in its Exhibition Halls; highly efficient central energy plant and building management systems; Australia’s largest electric car charging station for 25 vehicles; and a community funded solar array, the nation’s largest in a CBD, providing 5 percent of the venue’s energy – or enough to power 100 homes.

Darling Harbour Live general manager Peter Robertson said the accolade further strengthened the precinct’s environmental credentials, with the broader revitalisation project having recently received an outstanding 6-Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

“Since its opening in December 2016, ICC Sydney has transformed Darling Harbour. We now have 30 percent more public space and greater connectivity through the creation of pedestrian and cyclist links in the precinct.”

www.iccsydney.com

ends