October 6, 2011 - Major Japanese tourism, hotel and transportation company Iwasaki Sangyo has appointed the Accor Group to manage its Capricorn Resort in Yeppoon, on the central Queensland Coast.

The hotel will be managed under Accor’s Mercure brand to become the Mercure Capricorn Resort Yeppoon.

A short 30 minute ferry ride from famous Great Keppel Island located off the coast of Yeppoon, the existing 281-room resort is one region’s most iconic, set on a secluded coral reef coastline with an outlook to the Great Barrier Reef.

Located 40 kilometres from the Rockhampton airport for easy intra or interstate travel and overseas connections, the Mercure Capricorn Resort Yeppoon’s extensive facilities include four restaurants and bars, eight conference and meeting spaces, and a large swimming pool and spa.

Two golf courses, including a Championship golf resort, are located on the property for the convenience of guests, along with many other sports facilities. With its close proximity to the Whitsunday waters, the resort is also well located to take advantage of the many water sports and boating activities close by, making the most of the Capricorn Coast’s great climate and coastal features.

Yoshitaro Iwasaki, Iwasaki Group CEO and the Owner of Capricorn Resort, said the group was excited to be working with the iconic worldwide hotel management company that is Accor.

Mr Iwasaki said, “I’m expecting Accor to increase the number of guests from inter-state and overseas with their global sales network. Meanwhile, we will be the first resort in the Central Queensland district to have an Accor brand, so this is also a benefit for the group to have a new sales base in this region.”

“Iwasaki Sangyo is now planning to further develop the Capricorn Resort and I’m assured that the launch of the newly branded Mercure Capricorn Resort is one of the significant milestones of this future development. I hope the well known Mercure brand will raise the profile of our Capricorn Resort globally with their professional hotel operations, and add to the overall reputation and quality of the Resort.”

The resort’s Mercure branding will see the introduction of the brand’s famous ‘Grands Vins’ regional wine list, which offers a taste of Queensland’s best local wines, and Mercure ‘Pure Pleasures’ elements which make any stay special.

Vice President for Accor in Australia, Simon McGrath, says the Mercure name will bring truly global branding to the property.
 
“Accor’s appointment is testament to Iwasaki Sangyo’s commitment to maximise the potential of the existing Capricorn Resort Yeppoon,” he says. 

“Iwasaki Sangyo’s desire to expand the performance and profile of the Resort, particularly in conference and domestic leisure sectors, is a key motivating factor behind the Group engaging Accor.

“I’m confident that as Australia’s most pervasive hotel network and performer across both the leisure and business events sectors that we’ll be able to take the resort to the next level over the next 12 months.”

It is expected that Accor’s Advantage Plus loyalty programme, which has in excess of six million members worldwide, combined with the company’s extensive database of corporate and leisure travellers will increase visitation to the Mercure Capricorn Resort Yeppoon, and benefit the greater Yeppoon and neighbouring Rockhampton tourism industries.

Mercure is the largest mid-market hotel brand in Australia. With the addition of the Mercure Capricorn Resort Yeppoon the network has grown to 31 hotels in key locations across the country, and more than 670 hotels in 50 countries globally.

Bookings and further information: www.mercure.com　www.capricornresort.com

Mercure, a genuine experience guaranteed by a strong brand. For business or leisure, Mercure offers a real alternative to hotel chains and independent hotels. Mercure is the only midscale hotel brand that combines the strength of an international network of 700 hotels with guaranteed quality standards and the genuine experience of hotels, all different, rooted in their local community and managed by passionate hoteliers. Located in city centers, by the sea or in the mountains, the Mercure network welcome you in nearly 50 countries across the World. More information on Mercure hotels is available on mercure.com.

About Accor
More about Accor | Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe, is present in 90 countries with 4,200 hotels and more than 500,000 rooms. Accor's broad portfolio of hotel brands - Sofitel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Suite Novotel, Mercure, Adagio, ibis, all seasons, Etap Hotel, Formule 1, hotelF1 and Motel 6, and its related activities, Thalassa sea & spa and Lenôtre - provide an extensive offer from luxury to budget. With 145,000 employees worldwide, the Group offers to its clients and partners nearly 45 years of know-how and expertise.

About Iwasaki Group
The Iwasaki Group are a large enterprise based in Kagoshima prefecture Japan. The companies interests include 4 resort style hotels and 2 golf courses in the Southern Kyushu region, they are also involved with public transportation, travel agency, broadcasting, agricultural business and brewery etc. At the moment Iwasaki Group consists of more than 50 subsidiary companies with approx 4,000 employees. The Iwasaki Group sales offices are located in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Seoul and Taipei.