Five-star investment for Rotorua
Rotorua’s newest five-star hotel development will be run by AccorHotels.
The hotel site, in the Zens Centre, is being developed by Chow Group Management Ltd (CGML).
The former commercial building is being transformed into a 130-room, five-star hotel.
‘‘The renovation of the former Zen Building has commenced with architectural plans,’’ CGML director John Chow said.
‘‘The next stage is the physical work effort which is slated to start in July. We are delighted to be able to announce the appointment of AccorHotels.’’
Chow also promised the work would provide an economic boost to Rotorua.
‘‘The entire project will create a pipeline of work opportunities from the refurbishment works stage on site, through to providing hospitality roles and ongoing employment,’’ he said.
‘‘I believe the addition of a fivestar upscale hotel to the Rotorua tourism offering will be received well by local residents and visitors alike. Tourism in Rotorua is valued at $772 million per year with $402m of that coming from domestic visitors.
‘‘The Rotorua hotel property will be ideally positioned both in terms of location but also hospitality offering to take a slice of the 2.2 million visitor nights spent in the destination.’’
Chow said AccorHotels was selected for their global network, customer focus and proven track record in New Zealand.
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick welcomed news of the contract. ‘‘Business sectors such as retail and tourism are doing extremely well in Rotorua, with our local economy performing above the national average,’’ she said.
‘‘Rotorua is growing and thriving. Our population now exceeds 70,000 and continues to grow and unemployment is dropping.
‘‘It’s important that we continue to build on these positive achievements and projects such as the Chow Group’s new upscale hotel are critical to our success, improving our tourism infrastructure and creating work opportunities.’’
The hotel is expected to be open at the end of 2018/start of 2019.