Key industry bodies have welcomed the news Sofitel will brand the new ICC Sydney hotel.
Accommodation Association of Australia CEO, Richard Munro, said, “Congratulations to Accor and Dr Jerry Schwartz on their decision to bring the Sofitel brand to Darling Harbour.
“The Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour will elevate the precinct’s luxury entertainment and event credentials to new heights.
“Not only is this good news for both Sydney and Australia’s accommodation industries, but for tourism and related businesses more broadly.
“This announcement highlights the wider growth trend in the Australian accommodation sector, even in the face of static economic conditions.
“The Accommodation Association is pleased to represent one of the main industries that will drive Australia’s economic growth in coming decades,” Munro said.
Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF) Executive Director Adele Labine-Romain said Sydney’s position as a world-class business events destination will be enhanced by the news that the hotel to be built next to the International Convention Centre Sydney will be run by Accor as a Sofitel.
“Visitors coming to Sydney for business events at the new International Convention Centre Sydney will be able to stay right in the precinct in a new luxury hotel run by global operator Accor,” she said.
“The hotel’s proximity to the new facility will give business events delegates or people attending concerts and other events in the revitalised Darling Harbour precinct unprecedented convenience.
“As well as providing a luxurious accommodation option on site, with around 600 rooms the hotel will be a significant and welcome addition to Sydney’s accommodation stocks.”
Labine-Romain said Accor is an ideal choice to run what will be a world-class hotel.
“Accor operates thousands of hotels all over the world and its staff are focused on delivering the best possible customer experience and people who stay in the new hotel will benefit from Accor’s experience,” Ms Labine-Romain said.
“Accor is a world leader in hospitality and in business events, with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key earlier this month naming Accor as the preferred operator of the Christchurch Convention Centre.
“The Darling Harbour Live project is an incredible investment in the New South Wales visitor economy that will deliver hundreds of millions of dollars in additional expenditure and thousands of jobs and TTF congratulates the New South Wales government, Lend Lease, Dr Jerry Schwartz and Accor on the news.”