The world’s largest luxury hotel group could be coming to Hervey Bay after signing an agreement confirming its intention to operate the proposed Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort.

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, part of the Marriott International group, would become the operator of the 223-room five-star hotel component of the $445 million Torquay waterfront development. Sheraton Hervey Bay would be the largest and most luxurious new hotel between Brisbane and Cairns.

It can also be revealed that Jamie Durie, international award-winning designer, television host, environmentalist and author, has become an ambassador for the project and will be designing a world-class Oasis recreational area for the new Sheraton Hervey Bay resort.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between the iconic five-star hotel chain and developer Sunny Beach Land, completing a rigorous international search for the right partner to manage the resort.

Hervey Bay would be only the fifth Sheraton location in Australia, joining the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resorts at the Gold Coast and Port Douglas, the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park and the Sheraton Melbourne Hotel.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hospitality company with 32 brands, 8,900 hotels and 800,000 people across 140 countries. It is recognised as the global leader in the five-star and luxury accommodation sectors.

Besides luxury rooms with bay views, the hotel plans include a resort pool, fitness centre, business lounge, world-class conference and functions space, kids club, signature restaurant, and a destination rooftop bar overlooking the bay. A dedicated tour desk would facilitate trips to the region’s attractions, including K’gari and whale watching.

The proposed development has gained strong community support ahead of this Saturday’s local government elections (16 March) with thousands of locals backing the need for a luxury five-star offering in the region.

Sunny Beach Land Director Dan Cuda:said,  “This announcement is fantastic news for Hervey Bay and would put the Fraser Coast region firmly on the map as a world-class tourism destination.

“Our MOU with Marriott International is an exciting coup for Hervey Bay and represents another compelling reason for the Hervey Bay Esplanade Resort to go ahead.

“An operator with the experience and reputation of Sheraton would ensure the success of the hotel component of our project while attracting new visitation to the region from highly affluent tourists.

“The potential contribution this would make to the Fraser Coast economy, local businesses and employment is simply massive and too good of an opportunity to miss. The presence of

Sheraton in Hervey Bay would also set the tone for future residential and tourism developments in this region and encourage further investment.”

Richard Crawford, Vice President Hotel Development Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, Marriott International: said “We have great confidence in the outlook for Hervey Bay and Sunny Beach Land’s project presents the opportunity we have been waiting for to enter the market. For the first time a development vision exists that offers the right opportunity to introduce an international full-service hotel to the city.

“Hervey Bay is a destination with excellent prospects for growth and long-term success, however, its lack of high-quality accommodation has diminished the city’s appeal to affluent travelers, and it is missing out on the marketing power of international hotel companies.

“In Marriott’s case, we focus our distribution on our 200 million Marriott Bonvoy loyalty members, who represent 50 per cent of night occupancy at our hotels.

“Our Sheraton properties in Sydney, Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Port Douglas are among Australia’s most recognised and highest performing hotels. By joining this long-established network of hotels, Sheraton Hervey Bay would gain instant recognition and be sure to attract new demand from intrastate, domestic and international travelers – to the benefit of the city of Hervey Bay and surrounds.

“The direct economic and social benefits of the proponent’s vision for this project are vast and far-reaching and their plans are as well-resolved and impressive as any we have seen for other similar projects, anywhere in Australia.”

Jamie Durie: said, “I’m thrilled to be working with the team on this project both on the environmental front and to deliver a stunning beach front oasis and recreation area to shine a spotlight on Hervey Bay globally.

“We all know that K’gari is paradise and with the internationally recognised Sheraton brand behind it the world will too. A destination hotel with the pedigree of Sheraton gracing the

Esplanade in Hervey Bay will be a magnificent drawcard for tourists both across Australia and the world. Hervey Bay will become a landmark destination and a must-see on our international guests ‘visit Australia checklist’.”