Hayman, One&Only split

GLOBAL hospitality group One&Only is no longer managing Hayman Island Resort in the Whitsundays, with Kerzner International and resort owner Mulpha overnight confirming a mutual decision to part ways.

One&Only took over Hayman three years ago ( TD 01 Jul 2014) in a blaze of publicity following a massive $80 million upgrade.

The Hayman debut of One&Only was followed by the group also taking on the management of Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in the Blue Mountains, which remains in the brand’s portfolio.

However the latest development in the Hayman saga follows the damage incurred to the resort by Cyclone Debbie, forcing it to close until mid-2018.

“The mutual decision has been made that One&Only will no longer be managing Hayman Island as of 05 Jun 2017,” according to a joint statement obtained by Travel Daily.

Mulpha Australia confirmed it would rebrand the resort when it reopens next year.

“While it is disappointing to have to close the resort after record trading that had been achieved, Mulpha are planning to undertake significant capital works to once again position Hayman as one of the most prestigious luxury resort properties in the Australian market,” the companies said.

Mulpha plans to undertake a formal process in the coming months to select a “qualified luxury operator to assume the future management of the island”.

One&Only says it remains committed to Australia, both via its long-term agreement to manage Wolgan as well as to continue to grow Australia & NZ as an outbound market to all of its properties globally.