Today
Meet the mayor who sees Airbnb as an agent for good
It’s better to have a short-term rental in a house that’s been refurbished than to have a ruin, says the head of Portugal’s second-largest city.
- Joao Lima
June
Tokyo’s old fish market makes way for skyscrapers, stadium
Developers say the new project will rival top waterfront spots in cities like Sydney and Singapore.
- Yuri Kageyama
- Exclusive
- Hotels
Caravan king Gerry Ryan puts $50m safari lodge on the market
Gerry Ryan, the founder of Jayco Caravans, and an ex-Rich Lister, is selling the soon-to-be-finished hotel and glamping resort within the Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.
- Larry Schlesinger
Forrests’ beachfront hotel plan dumped by council
Plans by billionaires Andrew and Nicola Forrest for a boutique four-storey hotel near the beachside home they once shared have been rejected by a local council.
- Brad Thompson
Sydney landmark Luna Park hits the market
Canadian property giant Brookfield is stepping off the ride at the famed harbourside attraction and is ready to hand the fun times over to a new owner.
- Updated
- Campbell Kwan
Luxury travellers are swapping planes for trains – here’s why
Nostalgia for a slower era has travellers returning to rail, and operators are responding by dialling up the glamour.
- Brook Turner
Tourism rebounds to near pre-pandemic levels
The Australian industry is on track for the best year ever as international visitor numbers bounce back.
- Ayesha de Kretser
Japanese investor joins $200m Cairns hotel exodus
The listing of the Cairns Harbourside Hotel by Japan’s Taisei Kanko follows the sale last week of the Pacific Hotel Cairns for about $35 million to NSW investors.
- Larry Schlesinger
May
Queensland industries fear migration cut will worsen worker shortage
Slashing migration numbers risks compounding stretched workforces, Queensland industries warn.
- James Hall
- Exclusive
- Hotels
On Hamilton, a family dynasty bets there’s more money in islands
After showing potential buyers around last year, Sandy Oatley and his family are instead developing a new resort as they double down on the island.
- Primrose Riordan
NRMA snaps up Yamba holiday park for more than $40m
The association will add the Blue Dolphin Holiday Resort in Yamba to a tourism portfolio that includes Cradle Mountain Hotel and Freycinet Lodge in Tasmania
- Larry Schlesinger
Mount Everest from your tent? That’s a view worth the trek
Waking up to behold Nepal’s most renowned mountains is a dream come true. But you’ve got to put in the hard yards to get there.
- Alana Christensen
Loyalty program a huge driver of occupancy at Marriott hotels
More than one in two hotel rooms booked in Australia come through Marriott’s loyalty program, says Asia Pacific boss Raj Menon.
- Larry Schlesinger
Developers bet on long-term tourism boom with new hotels
Developers have struck agreements with IHG, Hilton and Accor to operate new hotels in Brisbane, Townsville and Launceston as occupancy rates rise.
- Larry Schlesinger
Bonza administrator still looking for new backers
Bonza’s move to enter voluntary administration is a “sad time for aviation and major blow for competition”, says the main body representing Australia’s network of airports.
- Ayesha de Kretser and Zoe Samios
- Exclusive
- Hotels
New Pullman to breathe life into Launceston’s ‘old’ hotel scene
The 139-room hotel will form part of the repurposing of the 1930s TAFE building overlooking Launceston by developer Red Panda.
- Larry Schlesinger
April
Experience Co to unveil E&P Corporate-led strategic review
Experience Co’s largest shareholders – Anthony Boucaut and fund manager Richmond Hill Capital – are supportive of the strategic review, sources told Street Talk.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Venice charges tourists an entry fee. Capping numbers may be next
Italy has begun charging €5 to visit the unique city, sparking protests from locals who say a housing supply crisis is the main problem.
- Donato Paolo Mancini
- Exclusive
- Property development
Acuity Development has $300m plan for Yarra Valley aerodrome and farm
The developer, which sources both projects and investors, has grand plans for the Yarra Valley’s only sealed airstrip and neighbouring farm.
- Michael Bleby
Bankers try on a new alternative asset class – surfing
The risk is high, but Urbnsurf – now backed by Nomura and a special situations lender – is trying to prove wave parks can be serious business.
- Aaron Weinman
