Sydney’s massive AU$1.5 billion (US$1.1 billion) International Convention Centre (ICC) opened in Sydney in December – officially Australia’s largest integrated convention, exhibition and entertainment center with a seating capacity of 8,000.
International Convention Centre was scheduled to open within a year’s time, and foreseeing the growth in business travel to Sydney, he followed his gut, made the bid and acquired the hotel,” she says.
Ovolo hired design firm Luchetti Krelle to refurbish the interiors of the hotel, which had branded itself as the first “Instagram-friendly” hotel following a 2013 renovation under 8Hotels.
In terms of expectation, Cottome says the hotel’s already observing an influx of domestic and international travellers attending conferences and events at the ICC.
“The benefits for the city are unquestionable with large scale conventions providing a massive boost to the local economy. For Ovolo 1888 Darling Harbour, it just means we’ll be busier than ever before,” says Cottome, who says the hotel’s daily occupancy rate has hovered consistently at 90%.
“The ICC is underpinning a new wave of financial investment in new hotels and refurbishments and driving additional demand for rooms,” she continues.
There are other competitors in the area: Accor’s Novotel Darling Harbour and The Darling at The Star Casino. Cottome says it’s the hotel’s all-inclusive approach that makes it stand out: Wi-Fi, breakfast, mini bar, flexible check out hours, and laundry services are all included with room cost.
“When you’re talking about convention-goers, these are pretty big selling points to winning their business,” Cottome says.