Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Voyages Ayers Rock Resort sold - GPT sells last of Voyages portfolio

The $300M sale of Voyages Ayers Rock Resort back to the Central Australian Anangu nations of Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara is a landmark deal that puts the running of the resort firmly in the hands of the local indigenous people.  The issue being haggled about was never about price:  it was conditional upon finding a meaningful way of transferring skills to the local people.  The deal will also see the return of 104,000 hectares of culturally significant freehold land to traditional owners, while local operator Anangu Tours will play a continuing role in resort operation and management.
Also significant is the end of GPT in the tourism industry as the last of the Voyages Properties has been sold.  In my 20 + years in travel, I've always had a Voyages property in my Australian itineraries - and I'll still use the properties under all the new ownership. 

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