On hand to mark the opening of the resort was Alan Rickard, Gold Coast Deputy Mayor; Barry Wallace, Outrigger�s senior vice president of operations from Hawaii; developer Brian Ray of The Ray Group; Maurice Frawley, managing director of Outrigger�s joint venture partner Paradise Partners; and Dave Lawrence, Outrigger�s vice president and general director for Australia.

Deputy Mayor Rickard said the opening of the Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort marked an important growth phase for the Gold Coast region. �With the completion of the Pacific Highway, we are anticipating a further surge in visitor numbers to the Gold Coast, and the addition of top quality resorts like the Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort is obviously a major drawcard for the region,� he said.

The Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort is a 22-story luxury property centrally located on the beach at Coolangatta and just five minutes from Coolangatta Airport. Each of its 130 one-, two- and three-bedroom units offer uninterrupted ocean views as well as quality furnishings and finishes. All are air conditioned and offer fully equipped kitchens with microwave oven, coffee/tea maker, refrigerator and dishwasher.

Resort amenities include an expansive courtyard and landscaped tropical gardens, a large BBQ area, a heated swimming pool and spa, full-size tennis court, security car park and poolside gym and sauna. The Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort also enjoys direct access to Griffith Street where a variety of restaurants and retail shops can be found.

According to Lawrence, Outrigger�s presence in Australia is growing at an exciting rate. �With three new resorts opening this year and the ongoing success of our existing Gold Coast resorts, Outrigger�s presence in Australia is exceptionally, strong,� he said.
Outrigger Hotels & Resorts signed a joint venture agreement in 1998 with Paradise Apartments to operate hotels throughout Australia. By June, there will be seven Outrigger-branded properties open in three of Australia�s most popular tourist destinations � Cairns, the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. Those properties are:

Cairns
Outrigger Cairns Resort

Sunshine Coast
Outrigger Mooloolaba International Beach Resort (opening June 2000)

Gold Coast
Outrigger Paradise Centre
Outrigger Peninsula Beachside Resort
Outrigger Sun City Resort
Outrigger Cosmopolitan
Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort
        
Paradise Apartments Managing Director Maurice Frawley said the partnership with Outrigger Hotels & Resorts has proven successful. �Two years after the start of our relationship, we have seven resorts operating as Outriggers,� he said. �We are pleased with this collection and look forward to taking advantage of expansion opportunities in the future.�

The Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort was developed by The Ray Group, who have been developing properties in both New South Wales and Queensland for more than 10 years, with notable projects that include beachfront residences and resort hotels. The Ray Group also constructed the 124-room Outrigger Cairns Resort, which opened on March 15, 2000. 

The Outrigger Coolangatta Beach Resort is managed by Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, a division of Hawaii-based Outrigger Enterprises, Inc., the largest lodging company in Hawaii and one of the fastest growing lodging companies in the Pacific. Outrigger currently operates or has under development 39 hotels and resort condominiums throughout the Pacific region, representing more than 10,000 hotel rooms and condominium units in Hawaii, Micronesia, Australia and the South Pacific. Outrigger�s affiliate, Outrigger Lodging Services, manages nearly two dozen hotels and resorts throughout the U.S. mainland.