RACV purchases Hobart hotel property with equity partner RACT
RACV today announced that it has purchased with equity partner RACT the Grand Mercure Hobart Central Apartments, located in Collins Street Hobart.
Sue Blake, Executive General Manager RACV Club and Resorts, said the four-and-a-half-star, nine-storey development, which opened in April 2012, will be renamed the RACV / RACT Hobart Apartment Hotel.
"This fabulous property is the newest hotel property in Hobart, with views to Mt Wellington and the Derwent River," Ms Blake said.
"It is ideally located in Hobart's shopping precinct and is in easy walking distance of the worldrenowned
Salamanca Market and Constitution Dock, which hosts the finish of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and Australia's biggest wooden boat festival."
Under the new joint venture, the RACV / RACT Hobart Apartment Hotel will be operated by RACV, which has eight other RACV Club and Resort operations in Victoria and Queensland.
Ms Blake said RACV together with RACT purchased the property via Sale by receiver and operation of the new RACV / RACT Hobart Apartment Hotel operations will commence in September 2013.
"Tasmania is a very popular and accessible holiday destination for Victorians, who according to Tourism Tasmania's most recent figures make 320,000 visits to Tasmania per annum. Seven out of 10 of these visits are for a holiday and 77 per cent incorporate Hobart," she said.
"RACV has been looking for some time for a suitable opportunity to extend our operations to Hobart, which is an iconic holiday destination. We estimate our Members make around 100,000 trips to Hobart each year.
"This property is a great fit with what RACV's 2.1 million members have come to expect – quality, comfortable, family friendly, affordable, and in a great location."
RACT is RACV's sister organisation in Tasmania and its 184,000 members will also benefit from the 25 per cent member discount off the non-member rate. In addition, RACV and RACT will be developing great holiday packages for members and guests.
The hotel comprises 125 rooms including one and two bedroom apartments and studios, a restaurant, several conference and event spaces, on-site parking and a small gym.
Source: Accommodation Association of Australia, 30 June 2013
