New luxury hotel to boost Auckland economy
A new five-star hotel development on Auckland’s waterfront will strengthen the region’s visitor economy says Auckland
Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED).
Waterfront Auckland and Beijing based developer Fu Wah International Group have formed a partnership to build a 200 room
hotel on the western edge of the Viaduct Harbour by 2017.
ATEED Chief Executive Brett O’Riley says the new hotel will be excellent for Auckland and help contribute to growing the
visitor economy, in line with the targets in the Auckland Visitor Plan.
“The hotel – in its amazing location on the water’s edge in the heart of Auckland’s innovation precinct – will enhance
our premium accommodation offering. As part of our strategy to attract more high-net wealth individuals to holiday and
do business here, we’ve been working with the Fu Wah Group to help them identify the advantages of doing business in
Auckland," he says.
“We are focussed on positioning Auckland as a premium destination and having a globally recognised luxury hotel will add
to the tourism offering.”
This announcement comes alongside a strong summer for Auckland’s tourism industry. In February Auckland experienced its
best ever summer month, with record-breaking international visitor arrivals and an unprecedented 93 per cent hotel
occupancy rate.
The hotel development is also a strong signal of new growth in Auckland’s economy and its ability to attract large-scale
international investment.
ATEED – on behalf of Auckland Council – works to grow the visitor economy in line with the targets in its 10-year
Auckland Visitor Plan. The plan aims to double the contribution from the Auckland visitor economy, growing it from $3.33
billion in 2010 to $6 billion annually in 2021.
ATEED’s approach aligns with the new growth framework for the New Zealand tourism industry: ‘Tourism 2025 – Growing
Value Together’ – which has a focus on growing value, rather than simply growing visitor numbers.
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