They are TAHL�s first hotels in the Northern Territory and will expand the company�s network to 48 hotels* and 6,071 rooms in Australia and New Zealand (*the portfolio includes the purchase of 12 hotels, approved by shareholders at a recent general meeting, and two hotels under construction).
The Katherine and Alice Springs hotels were purchased for A$7.2 million from Ferrier-Hodgson, liquidators of the former Frontier hotel group. Colliers Jardine Hotels & Leisure was the handling agent.

The two hotels are the All Seasons Frontier Oasis Alice Springs and the All Seasons Frontier Katherine.  The properties are currently managed by Accor, who will be retained as long-term managers of the hotels. Accor is the largest international operator in the Northern Territory with a total of five hotels - in Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine. 
 

Both hotels are considered amongst the leading hotels in the two centres.  The 3½-star All Seasons Frontier Oasis Alice Springs has 102 rooms with a range of resort facilities, including two swimming pools, as well as conference and function facilities for up to 100.  The 3-star All Seasons Frontier Katherine has 100 rooms, including self-catering units, restaurant, swimming pool and tennis court.

All Seasons Frontier Oasis 10 Gap Road Alice Springs, NT

The two hotels will be rebranded to Accor�s Mercure brand - the largest international hotel brand operating in Australia, with 41 hotels and resorts. 
Commenting on the acquisition of the two hotels, TAHL Managing Director, John Hickey, said that the timing of the acquisition was ideal, with all forecasts indicating strong future growth for both international and domestic visitor numbers to the Northern Territory.

�The Northern Territory in general and Alice Springs and Katherine in particular have been at the forefront of tourism growth in Australia over the past year,� said Mr Hickey.

�Latest statistics showed a 42% increase in visitor numbers to Katherine in the 1998-99 year compared to the previous year, while Alice Springs recorded a 17% increase for the same period. All indications are that future growth of 7% - 10% can be expected over the next few years across the Northern Territory.

�The effect of the Olympic Year, where the Northern Territory received significant coverage from international media visiting the country, and with the current Crocodile Dundee advertisements having such an impact in the USA, we are confident there will be continued strong performance in the inbound market. 

�In the local Australian market, the largest domestic tourism initiative - See Australia - is set to be launched next month, with Accor the exclusive premium hotel sponsor. This will provide a great platform to further boost domestic leisure travel and conference and incentive business to the Northern Territory. 

�Importantly, the top three inbound markets for the Northern Territory - Europe, UK and North America - are where Accor has its greatest presence.  Accor is also strong in emerging markets in Asia.

�The hotels in Katherine and Alice Springs will be part of an Accor network that is not only the most extensive in the Northern Territory, but also the most extensive in Australia, which will have an important impact on the hotels� future performance.�