A joint venture has today been signed between Accor Hospitality, Tainui Group Holdings and Auckland International Airport (AIA) , to develop and operate a world-class (4-star plus) 260 room Novotel hotel at Auckland Airport, to be completed in time for Rugby World Cup 2011. Tainui will act as lead developer and investor in the joint venture, with Auckland Airport holding a minority interest. The hotel will be developed on a long term ground lease granted by Auckland Airport and will be managed by Accor. The total forecast completed cost is $65million including hotel at approximately $45million. The deal remains conditional on project finance and construction tender. Novotel Auck land Airport will be designed by Warren & Mahoney Architects.
Tainui Group Holdings CEO, Mike Pohio, said, “This deal represents a significant development opportunity for Tainui that we believe will complement our existing successful hotel investments. The Airport hotel will also generate cons iderable long-term economic growth and provide many new jobs for the Auckland region. The hotel will assist Auckland and New Zealand tourism and trade. It will cater for the inevitable economic recovery and growth when it returns.” Auckland Airport general manager property, Peter Alexander said, “There has been a clear demand from the tourism industry and travellers for a hotel in the airport terminal precinct for some time. We are
exceptionally pleased to bring together such a strong group of partners, each bringing a strong track- record, sk ills and experienc e. The outcome will be a great hotel and will deliver yet another string to the bow of Auckland Airport, one of the 10 best airports in the world.”
Tainui Group Holdings (TGH) is the commercial arm of Waikato-Tainui. It has built a reputation for excellence in property development, investment and management and has a history of developing success ful hotels. TGH’s guiding principle is to lead Maori economic development. Accor, a major global group and the European leader in hotels, as well as the global leader in services to corporate clients and public institutions, operates in nearly 100 countries with 150,000 employees. It offers to its clients over 40 years of expertise in Hotels, with the Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, etc representing 4,000 hotels and nearly 500,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenôtre and Services, with 30 million people in 40 countries benefiting from Accor Services products in employee and public benefits , rewards and loyalty, and expense management. Auckland Airport has been voted the 10th best in the world and the best airport in the Australia Pacific region, in the 2009 independent Skytrax World Airport awards.
