Accor Officially Arrives in Kakadu

Australia's largest hotel group increases its presence in the Northern Territory and commits to progressing Indigenous Employment

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. April 07, 2014

April 7, 2014 - Australia's largest hotel network, Accor, is now also the Northern Territory's largest accommodation provider, today officially taking over management of the iconic Crocodile Hotel in Jabiru and Cooinda Lodge at Yellow Water Billabong.

Operated by Kakadu Tourism (formerly Gagudju Dreaming), the Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel and Kakadu Lodge Cooinda, managed by Accor complement Accor's portfolio of hotel and resort product available to travellers in the Northern Territory.

The two new hotel additions have increased Accor's presence in the Northern Territory to nine hotels in total, providing a comprehensive network of accommodation for travellers between Darwin, Katherine, Kakadu and at Ayers Rock (Uluru).

Simon McGrath, Chief Operating Officer Accor Pacific said, “Kakadu National Park is one of Australia's key tourism assets and has long maintained the interest of international visitors. At the same time, the domestic market has enjoyed the wide range of experiential product in the park.

“Accor is honoured to be involved in the management of these tourism assets. The Kakadu Crocodile Hotel will be aligned with Accor's distinctive Mercure brand, and Kakadu Cooinda Lodge will continue to operate under its current name.

“Accor will use the full breadth of its network in the Asia Pacific to attract international markets, particularly the emerging markets of China and India, as well as capitalising on the strength of Accor in European markets. We will seize the opportunity to broaden the knowledge and understanding of The Kakadu Crocodile Hotel and Kakadu Cooinda Lodge among the domestic market and our loyalty members to bring even greater vision to these national assets.

“Most significantly, however, we are pleased to be building upon the owners' dedication to engage with and build careers for Indigenous employees. Accor has demonstrated our commitment to advancing Indigenous causes through our pioneering Indigenous Employment Program and our Reconciliation Action Plan. Accor has a strong commitment to Indigenous employment in tourism, and these assets heighten this agenda for the Northern Territory and from an Australian tourism perspective.”

The 110 room Mercure Kakadu Crocodile Hotel is located at Jabiru, some 2½ hours drive south east of Darwin, and offers the only deluxe accommodation in Kakadu. Renowned for the crocodile shape of the hotel design, the hotel is built around a large, landscaped swimming pool and features extensive leisure and business facilities, including conference space for up to 250 delegates.

Kakadu Cooinda Lodge, managed by Accor, is located next to the Yellow Water Billabong and is part of a hotel/tourism operation that includes the 48 room Lodge as well as a large camping site, the award-winning Yellow Water Cruises, Yellow Water Fishing, Gagudju Adventure Tours, a general store, fuel station and the Warradjan Cultural Centre.

The hotels were the first major tourism properties developed in Australia by an Indigenous organisation (the Gagudju people). The Crocodile Hotel opened in 1988, shortly after the Crocodile Dundee films put the international tourism spotlight on the Kakadu region and its spectacular natural attractions.

About Accor

Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 92 countries with nearly 3,600 hotels and 460,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, ibis Styles, ibis budget and hotelF1 - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With more than 160,000 employees in Accor brand hotels worldwide, the Group offers its clients and partners 45 years of know-how and expertise.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Freestun
Accor Hotels
0417 667 042
[email protected]