Ayers Rock resort has new owner

The Voyages Ayers Rock Resort has been sold to the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) for $300 million (£187 million).GPT Group confirmed that it had opted to sell the resort because it no longer fitted with the company’s main focus on retail and industrial properties. The sale signals the end of the group’s involvement with the tourism industry.

ILC chairperson Shirley McPherson expressed delight at acquiring the resort and confirmed that WU, which operates the Anangu Tours business, will help with the general running of the Voyages Ayers Rock Resort.

She added: “There is a great opportunity to increase the current limited indigenous employment at the resort.

“By 2015, 200 indigenous people will be employed at the resort and this will climb to 340, more than 50 per cent of total employees, by the end of 2018.”

In addition, a National Indigenous Tourism Training Academy will be created by ILC at Yulara.

Located in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, the resort could be an ideal destination for those taking flights to Australia to see the famous Ayers Rock.

Written by Ruth Norris.