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Queensland will be set to receive an added $203M in annual gross value with the imminent construction of Australia’s first Fairmont hotel, scheduled for construction in Port Douglas this year, according to a new report.A linchpin in the economic recovery of the region following a painful decline in tourism due to restrictions, the Fairmont Port Douglas will create a total of 694 jobs per annum during construction and 196 ongoing jobs once complete and operational.

Scheduled to open in 2023, the boundary-pushing resort at 71-85 Port Douglas Road will be the first new hotel to be built in Port Douglas in 20 years and will offer guests a selection of 253 luxury rooms, several restaurants and bars, a decadent day spa, a treetop walk and panoramic conference and wedding facilities, all designed around resort-style pools and built to blend seamlessly with nature.

According to the report by Urbis, commissioned by innovative property developer Chiodo, the hotel will garner 128,000 annual visitor nights through tourism to the resort, resulting in an estimated $17.1M per annum in domestic expenditure to the region and a total estimated annual guest expenditure of $21.3M (when operational).

Chiodo Principal, Paul Chiodo, is thrilled to partner with Accor in bringing the Fairmont brand to Australia, in turn, providing a significant economic boost to the region.

“Our vision is to deliver an environmental hotel that pushes the boundaries in luxury and generates unprecedented interest in, and visitorship to, the Port Douglas region,” said Paul.

“The construction of the hotel comes at a time when the local economy has taken a serious hit following restrictions, and we look forward to working with Tourism Port Douglas Daintree, the local community and the region’s First Nations people to rebuild tourism in the region.”

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said interest from a brand like Fairmont showed confidence in the region and he looked forward to seeing the project evolve.

Tourism Port Douglas Daintree Chief Executive Officer, Tara Bennett looks forward to the new hotel coming to Port Douglas, describing it as critical to inspiring confidence in travel to the region.

“Pre-Covid, there was always strong demand from the western market for additional hotel rooms in Port Douglas, however, we simply didn’t have the hotel stock to meet this demand,” said Tara.

“Having a global-leading brand like Accor is perfect for tourists that are loyal to particular luxury brands, especially with the large numbers we would see from Europe and North America.

“We have also seen a very high demand for corporate accommodation where business events are concerned; the Fairmont will see Port Douglas become perfectly positioned for these groups as tourism returns to its former strength.”

In a stunning location on the edge of two UNESCO World Heritage sites – the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest – the new Fairmont Port Douglas will be the first of its kind, in that it will be locally focussed yet globally artistic, cultivating a celebration of the planet, sustainability, humanity and luxury.

Developer Chiodo in partnership with Accor worked alongside global interior design agency, Studio Carter, international architecture, interiors and brand experience studio, Buchan, and architecture, landscape architecture and product design firm, Durie Design, to conceive the Fairmont Port Douglas.