By JAMES WILKINSON
Accor is set to manage a new-build AUD$20 million hotel in Albury, the first new globally-branded property for the Murray River border town since the 1970s.
While Accor is yet to finalise the details of the branding, HM understands Mercure is the most likely candidate for the 120-room property, given the brand’s prominent reach across regional centres in New South Wales and Victoria.
The hotel will also feature a restaurant, bar and conferencing facilities.
Murray Regional Tourism Board (MRTB) CEO Mark Francis said the development would create between 30 and 50 jobs and would provide a significant tourism boost for the region.
“To secure a development of this size is not only fantastic for Albury, it also adds to the quality and diversity of accommodation and conferencing offerings found in the Murray Region,” he said.
“This is a great example of the positive impacts new infrastructure can have on a local community and further evidence of the exciting period of growth currently taking place right along the Murray River.
“The MTRB aims to continue generating investment in tourism product and infrastructure [and] over the next five years, the MRTB will lead the way to ensure the growth and development of the tourism industry in the Murray Region,” Francis said.
The most recent property to have opened in Albury is a Quest Serviced Apartments hotel, run by Noel and Madeleine Wood.