Changing of the guard at Hungerford Hill

Hunter Valley wine producer Hungerford Hill dropped a bombshell tonight with news that GM and chief winemaker Brian Currie is departing after close to a decade in charge.

Hungerford Hill and its associated wineries announced the appointment of Pierre Durand to those roles as of June 9, 

Durand is described in the media release as a "French-born Australian winemaker with strong ties to the Hunter Valley" but many of his recent roles have been in management and sales, including at Endeavour Group as head of sales, at Langton's and at DMG Fine Wine.

“Iʼm very pleased to be joining Hungerford Hill, Dalwood Estate and Sweetwater Wines at such an exciting time,” said Durand. “The opportunity to return to the Hunter Valley and contribute to its vibrant wine community is incredibly meaningful.

"I look forward to working closely with the vineyard, winemaking and commercial teams to build on the strong foundations already in place.”

Currie, who has been in charge since November 2016 and has a formidable reputation, said: “Pierre brings a combination of wine experience and strong commercial insight.

“His understanding of both production and market dynamics positions him exceptionally well to lead the business into its next chapter.”

The company said in its release: “Bryanʼs contribution to the business and the Hunter Valley more broadly has been significant. 

“His leadership, dedication and commitment to quality have left a lasting imprint on the wines and the team. We thank him for his outstanding contribution and wish him every success in his next chapter.”

Durandʼs appointment marks a return to the region where he trained in viticulture at Kurri Kurri TAFE and had several cellar hand roles.

Movenpick hotel brand booming in Australia and New Zealand

The Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts brand is booming - no surprise as Australians look for casual but professional hotel experiences.

The Accor Group has announced the signing of Mövenpick Hotel Adelaide - a complete reimagining of what is currently the Peppers Waymouth Adelaide.

The property on Waymouth Street has undergone a significant refurbishment across rooms, suites, shared spaces, and a contemporary restaurant.

Further enhancements to corridors and guest rooms are coming with the hotel set to reopen under its new guise in December.

That will a total of five Mövenpick properties across Australia and New Zealand, alongside Melbourne, Hobart, Auckland, and Wellington.

Established in 1948, Mövenpick evolved from a restaurant concept in Switzerland into a global brand with more than 140 hotels across 40+ countries.

“We are proud to partner with Accor to bring Mövenpick to Adelaide”, said Domenic Mattioli, founder of owners the Mattioli Group.

“The hotel has already undergone a significant transformation, and this next chapter allows us to build on that investment with a brand that is globally recognised for its warmth, quality and ability to bring people together.

"Mövenpick's focus on generous hospitality and meaningful guest experiences aligns closely with our vision for the property and its role within the city.”

Accor is, naturally, excited.

“Adelaide is a dynamic city with a strong cultural and culinary identity, making it a natural fit for Mövenpick” said Adrian Williams, Chief Operating Officer, Accor Pacific.

“This signing allows us to introduce a brand that resonates with today's travellers - one that brings people together through generous hospitality, shared experiences and a genuine sense of place.”

AirAsia swoops to buy 150 new Airbus aircraft

Unperturbed by aviation industry headwinds, Air Asia Group this morning announced a huge fllet expansion.

AirAsia X Berhad revealed a deal with Airbus valued at approximately US$19 billion for 150 Airbus A220-300 aircraft, with the strategic flexibility to upsize the commitment to 300 of the same aircraft subject to future demand.

The landmark agreement represents the single largest firm order for the A220 type placed by any airline globally.

The move signals a decisive shift in AirAsia’s future fleet strategy, prioritising operational discipline and margin protection in an evolving global market, the airline said in a statement.

The order was officially announced at a ceremony at the Airbus facility in Mirabel, Canada, attended by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, Chief Executive Officer of Capital A and Lars Wagner, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus Commercial Aircraft (above).

With the order, AirAsia makes history as the global launch customer for the high-density, 160-seat configuration - which the airline sees as perfect for its short- and medium-haul routes.

This opens up smaller, high-growth markets and secondary hubs that were previously commercially unviable.

“AirAsia has spent more than two decades making the world smaller," said Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia Group.

"We built Malaysia into the world's top low-cost carrier hub, and we opened up air travel to millions of people across Asia who had never flown before.

"This plane gives us the ability to build the biggest and densest network, serving as a vital tool for efficiency. Its range of up to seven hours opens up entirely new possibilities, and allows us to match right-sized capacity to demand and give our guests the flexibility to fly whenever they want through increased frequencies."

Lars Wagner, CEO of Airbus Commercial Aircraft said: “The A220 will provide an optimal platform for AirAsia, combining low operating costs with the latest technology to maximise productivity and also open up new routes across Asia that were not feasible before."

Upon delivery from 2028, the aircraft will service destinations across Asia, and into the Pacific, freeing up larger A320s and A321s to mid-haul routes, and A330s to fly longer-haul routes into Europe, Australia and North America.

Fiji hotel favourite unveils a new look

Fiji has long been a favourite holiday destination for Australians - particularly family groups.

It seems to have fallen behind Bali, Thailand and Vietnam in terms of media focus in recent years.

One long-time Fiji favourite, Fiji Gateway Hotel, is aiming to turn that tide with the completion of the new accommodation wing, along with an expanded dining facility.

The expansion introduces 47 modern new rooms and suites and doubles the hotel’s restaurant capacity, the Raffe Hotels and Resorts group announced.

Situated directly opposite Nadi International Airport, Fiji Gateway Hotel is a convenient base for starting or ending a Fiji adventure, or for anyone in transit. 

The development, designed by Fiji-based company Architects Pacific, features 44 deluxe rooms and three two-bedroom suites designed for families. The hotel’s total room inventory has increased from 95 to 135.

The interiors have been crafted by New Zealand design studio Furnz Group, drawing inspiration from Fiji’s natural beauty.

Each room features bespoke pieces developed in collaboration with Rise Beyond the Reef, a Fijian non-profit organisation supporting rural Indigenous women and their families.

The expanded Palm Court Restaurant includes a new indoor dining room, offering additional space while maintaining the relaxed, open-air dining experience.

"Fiji Gateway Hotel has consistently operated at high occupancy, and with surging visitor numbers, we recognised the need to expand our accommodation and dining offerings," said Lee Pearce, CEO of Raffe Hotels & Resorts. 

"These new rooms and the additional restaurant space allow us to provide more choice and comfort for our guests, while ensuring they continue to enjoy the warm hospitality and tropical charm that Fiji Gateway is known for."

For more information see www.fijigateway.com.

Marriott hotel brand to return to Sydney

Marriott International has signed an agreement with Deicorp to open a new Sydney hotel next year. 

Courtyard by Marriott Sydney Crows Nest is expected to open in late 2027. 

The new-build hotel will form a central part of Falcon & Alexander, Deicorp’s $640 million mixed-use development in the heart of Crows Nest, just north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 

It will be operated by independent hotel manager Trilogy Hotels for Marriott, the media release says. 

Courtyard by Marriott Sydney Crows Nest will occupy the first three levels of the development and is set to feature 100 guest rooms. 

Hotel facilities are expected to include a contemporary restaurant and bar, meeting space, and fitness facilities.

The signing marks Courtyard by Marriott’s return to Sydney, joining existing properties in Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Darwin.

“Sydney remains one of our most important markets in Australia, and the return of the Courtyard by Marriott brand to the city is a significant milestone," says Tristan Cooper, Marriott International’s director of hotel development for Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific.

"We believe the hotel will generate strong demand and contribute to precinct activation through its contemporary guest offering, and we look forward to seeing the entire precinct come to life.”

Earlier this year, Deicorp announced a separate collaboration with Trilogy Hotels and Marriott to deliver Sydney’s first AC by Marriott, as part of the Hyde Metropolitan development on Liverpool Street. 

Football fans turning their backs on World Cup hotels

Oops. Those turbo charged cash registers ready to rort FIFA World Cup visitors to the US are screaming to a halt.

Hotels in the 2026 World Cup’s 11 US host cities are reporting underwhelming demand for stays during the tournament, new data released this week by the American Hotel and Lodging Association shows. 

The AHLA, which represents more than 30,000 properties nationwide, surveyed members in the host cities, and close to 80% of respondents reported that bookings were “tracking below initial forecasts” for the World Cup, which runs from June 11 to July 19, the New York Times reported. 

The report - based on 205 responses from hotel operators and owners, many of whom own multiple portfolios across multiple World Cup markets - indicates that current performance is very soft compared to the expectations of the hotels themselves.

Over 70% of respondents in San Francisco, Seattle, Philadelphia and Boston reported that booking pace was below expectations, with over 60% saying the same in Los Angeles, New York City, Houston and Dallas.

Citing the feedback from members, the AHLA concluded that “indicators suggest the anticipated economic lift [from the World Cup] may fall short of expectations.”

The report also says that some properties are “pausing investments around World Cup-specific activations, brand partnerships, and temporary renovations amid uncertainty” due to slower-than-expected demand. 

It also warns that if bookings fall below expectations, host cities will not generate the tax revenue that FIFA and others promised.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has regularly made claims that the World Cup will have a $30 billion “economic impact” in the US, but a significant portion of this projected impact relies on tourists piling into the country during the tournament.

And it casts further doubt on how many international fans will travel to the US for matches.

Hard to guess why foreign tourists would avoid visiting the US while the orange shitgibbon rules.