ACCOR UNCORKS 'NEW VINTAGE' NOVOTEL

Barossa Valley resort to be relaunched as Novotel Resort

Accor is to add its Novotel Resort branding to the Barossa Valley's pioneering resort, and aims to build on the region's reputation as one of the world's premier wine tourism destinations.

The All Seasons Premier Barossa Valley will be rebranded tomorrow (1 November) as the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort. It joins a global network of over 350 Novotels, including Novotels in other renowned wine producing areas such as the Loire Valley, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and Alsace-Lorraine in France and the Swan Valley in Western Australia.

The Novotel Barossa Valley Resort is the 20th in Australia and joins a network of Novotel Resorts in Australia that includes destinations such as Cairns, the Whitsundays, Sunshine Coast and the Snowy Mountains. The hotel will be managed by Accor, the world's (and Australia's) largest hotel and tourism group.

The resort opened just one year ago and was the first major hotel and conference venue established in the Barossa Valley, which is located 55km northeast of Adelaide in South Australia. The hotel boasts a superb position, set in a natural amphitheatre among the hills of the Barossa Ranges, overlooking vineyards and the famous Jacob's Creek, near the historic township of Tanunda.

The resort comprises 140 studio and two-bedroom apartments, all with views of the Barossa Valley. Eight function rooms have the capacity to host conferences for up to 340 delegates, and are also used extensively for product launches, exhibitions, incentives and special events. Leisure facilities include a swimming pool, health club, tennis courts, kids club and an adjacent 18 hole golf course.

Last month the $28 million resort was awarded "Most Outstanding Contribution to Tourism" at the 2000 Australian Hotels Association - South Australia Awards.

Accor Managing Director Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific & Japan, Michael Issenberg, said that the resort had great future potential, both in the domestic and international sectors.

"The Barossa Valley is considered one of the premier wine regions in Australia - and in terms of being able to offer a complete wine tourism experience, it would be hard to find anywhere better in the world," said Issenberg. "As such, it plays an important role in highlighting Australia's diversified tourism attractions. While the Great Barrier Reef, Ayers Rock and the Sydney Opera House may be the principal attractions for the majority of tourists, it is our increasingly sophisticated wine, cuisine and culture that is most likely to draw people back for a repeat visit.

"The opening of the resort in 1999 meant that - for the first time - the Barossa Valley was able to cater for large groups or conferences requiring international-standard accommodation. Accor - with its national and worldwide sales and marketing network - will be looking to develop this sector in particular, and we will work closely with local tourism authorities as well as our industry partners to attract major conferences, incentives and other events.

"The rebranding to Novotel will help the resort in the international and local markets, with Novotel already prominent in many of the world's leading wine producing areas, and with Novotel Resort's reputation for incorporating the local area into the hotel's activities. When people come to the Barossa they want a complete experience, with wine, food, culture, sightseeing, recreation and relaxing all included in the package - and that's what the hotel will be offering guests.

"A Novotel was launched in Adelaide earlier this year, and we also manage the Grand Mercure Mount Lofty House in the Adelaide Hills, so Accor will now be able to offer tourists quality accommodation in South Australia's three most popular destinations."

The General Manager of the Novotel Barossa Valley Resort is Paul McConville, who opened the hotel in 1999.

Novotel Barossa Valley Resort is offering a special 'Introductory Offer' of $49.50 per person (twin-share), per night valid until 31 January, 2001 subject to availability.