Posted on: Wednesday, June 12, 2002

Outrigger to expand to New Zealand

Staff and News Services

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Hawai'i-based Outrigger Hotels and Resorts announced yesterday that it aims to operate up to six hotels and resorts in New Zealand within three years.

The move follows the group securing management rights to eight resorts in the Australian state of Queensland.

"Like Australia, New Zealand offers a potentially strong growth opportunity," Outrigger's Vice President for Business Development, Bill Henderson, said in a statement.

"New Zealand is considered by many travelers as a clean, safe destination, with many spectacular and unique activities and attractions," he said.

While the company, Hawai'i's largest hotel chain, is linked with sun, surf and sand, Outrigger's move into New Zealand extends it into winter destinations like the popular mountain skiing center of Queenstown on the nation's South Island.

Outrigger's expansion into New Zealand also includes opening properties in the tourism centers of Rotorua, Christchurch and Auckland.

It also plans to be operating 20 hotels across Australia within three years.

The group released no financial details of the expansion program.

Earlier this year, Outrigger Enterprises said it would take over a $25.4 million, five-star boutique hotel that is under construction at Palm Cove, 18 miles north of Cairns in Queensland, when it is completed in June.

At the time of the announcement in February, Outrigger said occupancy had been running close to 85 percent at its Australia properties.

Henderson said that despite plans for international expansion, "Hawai'i is always going to be the heart and soul of the company."

Outrigger is advancing with efforts to condemn property for a $300 million redevelopment project on Lewers Street in Waikiki.

Outrigger operates 46 properties. Of those, the family-run business owns 15, all in Hawai'i.