Daily News & Opinion

Andrew Mulholland has been appointed managing director Australia of Wendy Wu Tours (WWT), effective March 2020. He was previously managing director Australia between 2016 and 2017, and spent the intervening years working in private business consulting. On his return, WWT founder Wendy Wu said: “We are very much looking forward to having Andrew back at the helm, and together with our excellent senior leadership team, driving the Australian business forward”.

Founder and CEO of Business Chicks Emma Isaacs has joined Saxton Speakers’ line-up of female talent. Business Chicks is a global community for women that operates in two continents, producing more than 100 events each year. On the signing, CEO of Saxton Speakers Anne Jamieson said: “Emma Isaacs brings practical knowledge and experience to the topics of self-made leadership and cultivating a success-driven mindset, and on stage presents with authenticity and honesty that makes her very approachable to the audience”.

Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Gold Coast has announced that it will swap plastic bottles for glass or aluminium throughout its guest rooms, restaurants and meeting spaces. The initiative is set to eliminate 179,000 plastic bottles from landfill each year. On the update, general manager of the resort Mark Sexton said: “With sustainability taking centre stage, we are thrilled to be on track to save 270 kilograms of plastic waste by August 2020, and a staggering 1.5 tonnes of waste by 2025.”

TFE Hotels and Hume Partners Property will launch Australia’s first cross-laminated timber hotel later this year. Adina Apartment Hotel Melbourne Southbank will boast five-star green credentials, with 5300 tonnes of non-toxic and renewable cross-laminated timber used in its construction. Inside, the hotel will offer 220 guest rooms, two light-filled meeting spaces, a boardroom, a gym, and a 20 m lap pool.

Accor has today announced the debut of the SO/ brand in Australia with SO/Melbourne, a 228-room hotel slated to open in 2023. The hotel will be positioned on the corner of William and Franklin streets, overlooking Flagstaff Gardens. Some of its features will include a signature club lounge and private meeting room, a speciality restaurant/bar and sky deck, all-day dining, an outdoor terrace and a ballroom.

In light of the critical international situation caused by the COVID-19 emergency, the Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) has decided to postpone its shows which were scheduled for the end of the month. The events include the MIR TECH Live Entertainment Expo and the ENADA SPRING the International Amusement and Gaming Show, the accompanying RIMINI AMUSEMENT SHOW and the spring edition of ABILMENTE VICENZA the Creative Idea Show.

Fraser Suites Sydney has commenced a $4 million refurbishment of its luxury suites. Due for completion in the second half of this year, the transformation will see all 201 suites fitted out with new furniture, artwork, curtains and carpets sourced by award-winning interior designers D’Cruz. Additional in-room functions will be improved to suit today’s discerning business and leisure travellers.

Mantra Chatswood Sydney has received a multi-million-dollar refurbishment spanning its guest rooms and public areas. All 144 rooms now have a modern and homely Scandinavian style, featuring splashes of navy with timber, upholstered bedheads with white linens, textured cushions and stylish window furnishings. The multi-functional public spaces are now filled with stone and timber detailing. The hotel is popular among business travellers, boasting a selection of modern conference facilities.