MELBOURNE, Nov 8 — The establishment of a Tune Hotel here was enthusiastically welcomed by the Victoria State Premier Dr Denis Napthine, saying it will boost tourism, the economy and employment.
“Tune Hotel Group’s decision to open its first Australian hotel and base its operational headquarters in Melbourne will create more than 100 direct and indirect jobs,” Dr Napthine said when he officially opened the hotel today.
He said Tune Hotel brought a new model of accommodation to Australia and he was very proud that Melbourne, the world’s most liveable city, was at the forefront of this new tourism concept.
The premier said Tune Hotel Group’s sister company, AirAsia X, was also an important partner for Victoria and the twice daily flights had boosted tourism and travel between Australia and Malaysia and the region.
“About 40,000 Malaysians live in Victoria, almost 8,000 students study in our state’s world-class universities and more than 90,000 Malaysians visit Victoria every year,” he said.
Dr Napthine said Melbourne was not only Australia’s events capital but also of the world’s, with access to world-class sporting and cultural events throughout the year.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of Tune Hotels, Mark Lankester, said the group was “very excited to have finally established our first hotel in Australia.
“It will give business and leisure visitors to this amazing city a truly compelling choice of accommodation alternative.
“We have experienced strong forward bookings since announcing our entry into the market here in June,” he said.
Lankester said the group received “invaluable support” from the Victorian Government, Tourism Victoria, Tourism Australia and the Melbourne City Council.
He said Tune Hotels had long-term plans for Australia and New Zealand and travellers can expect to see more hotels in the region in coming years.
Malaysia’s Consul-General here Datuk Dr Mohd Rameez Yahaya said it was pleasing to see Malaysian companies venturing the Australian market.
The Tune Hotel in Swanston Street here features nine storeys, 225 rooms, a restaurant and residential apartments.
Restaurants, universities, Queen Victoria Market, hospitals, retail shops and transport are all nearby.
Apart from Melbourne, which is its 34th property, Tune has 11 hotels in Malaysia, eight in the Philippines, six in Indonesia, five in Britain, four in Thailand and one each in India and Japan. — Bernama
