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NEW ZEALAND PRIME MINISTER OPENS HILTON'S QUEENSTOWN PROPERTY

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June, 2011

New Zealand Prime Minister and Tourism Minister John Key officially opened two new upscale Hilton Worldwide hotels in Queenstown this month, the Hilton Queenstown and Kawarau Hotel both managed by Hilton in its new Kawarau Village lakeside retail and dining precinct.

The openings of the 178-room Hilton Queenstown and 98-room Kawarau Hotel, represent the global brands entry into the international year-round resort town and expand Hilton Worldwides portfolio in New Zealand to four hotels.

Respected Maori elder and Chairman of the Ngai Tahu Maori Trust Board and leading academic Sir Tipene ORegan, formally welcomed the Prime Minister and Tourism Minister, John Key, in a traditional Maori greeting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler welcomed the arrival of the Hilton brand to Queenstown and the South Island.
The opening of the Hilton Queenstown and the Kawarau Hotel are among the most anticipated hotel openings in New Zealand this year and are important investments in the New Zealand tourism industry. In challenging times for South Island tourism, here we have a global tourism leader expressing an emphatic vote of confidence by opening not just one, but two hotels, and establishing a brilliant new village for visitors to enjoy at The Remarkables end of Lake Wakatipu.

Hilton Worldwide will help us market New Zealand to more of the high yield domestic and international visitors we are targeting and bring jobs and local economic benefits. The openings are ideally timed to complement our increased marketing of the snow season in Australia and as we prepare to host the Rugby World Cup in nearby Dunedin, with many visitors opting to base themselves in Queenstown.

We identified Queenstown as a strategically significant location for Hilton Worldwide. This project represents a development of the highest quality and world-class design. In addition to our award winning properties in Auckland and Taupo, Queenstown is now an essential part of our growing network of hotels in New Zealand, said Martin Rinck, President, Asia Pacific, Hilton Worldwide, who flew from Hiltons Singapore regional headquarters for the openings.
The lakefront properties are the only north facing hotels in Queenstown with glorious views of the lake and landmark Remarkables mountain range.
The new hotels sport conference facilities for up to 380 guests between them, a 3-level spa with 10 treatment rooms, a 25-metre heated indoor pool, gymnasium, spa and sauna.
After the ribbon cutting honours were done, Mr Key mingled with 100 guests from the New Zealand tourism industry and media from New Zealand and Australia before dining at the Hilton Queenstowns signature restaurant Wakatipu Grill.
Destination Queenstowns chief executive Tony Everitt welcomed the Hilton brand to Queenstown.
Its a great addition to our accommodation offering and complements the other hotel properties in town. To have such a significant international hotel opening here shows confidence in Queenstown as a highly desirable visitor destination and the Hiltons brand reach will certainly add weight to the towns international marketing exposure.
Hiltons Asia Pacific president Martin Rinck and vice-president of operations for Australasia Ashley Spencer were both in Queenstown for the swanky cocktail party opening.

Meanwhile, the new deli grocery store and cafe, `The Lake Counter' at Hilton Queenstown is also now open seven days a week from 7am to 7pm serving fresh pastries and muffins baked each morning by 5-star chefs.
Ms Poynder said Wakatipu Grill pastry chef Brian Campbell has a pastry pedigree gained from some of Britain's finest Relais and Chateaux properties and Michelin-starred restaurants in Spain.
She promises the best macaroons in town and canellas made from a recipe handed down chef to chef.
Fresh local meats and produce and Central Otago wines are also on offer along with other specialty food items.