Owners of a boutique hotel at Cradle Mountain are eyeing off additional opportunities set to be created by a tourism blueprint for the area.
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Elanor Investors Group is in the process of expanding the number of rooms at its Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge, as well as planning future investments.
Chief Investment Officer Marianne Ossovani said Elanor was interested in operating a cable car set to be created as part of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan, as well as creating accommodation and retail ventures as part of a wilderness village.
Ms Ossavani said Elanor was excited about the possibility for growth in the region.
“It’s been an important part of our business all along and [the master plan] reinforces our willingness to reinvest further,” she said.
Ms Ossavani was not prepared to release detail about future plans, but said any investment would be part of a commitment to devote further capital to Tasmania and Cradle Mountain.
She said government funding of the master plan was important to Elanor, and said the company was happy Premier Will Hodgman pledged $15 million to the plan as part of last week’s state budget.
The lodge is in the process of refurbishing, as well as adding seven new double King Billy suites and 14 spa suites to its offering.
Ms Ossavani said refurbishment was “imminent”, while the new rooms were subject to planning approval.
Peppers general manager Jason Cooley said he had been buoyed by increasing occupancy rates, with the hotel consistently achieving rates of more than 95 per cent over summer.
“We’ve seen an increase in occupancy rates of about 10 per cent in the winter months too, which gives us a lot of hope and confidence that this latest investment will be profitable,” Mr Cooley said.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive officer Luke Martin said Elanor’s plans showed private investors were excited by the opportunities provided by the master plan.
“These guys are already investing significantly in the site and the fact they’re interested in the master plan and the opportunities that presents reinforces that the private sector will invest if the public investment flows,” Mr Martin said.
Mr Hodgman said Elanor’s plans were evidence of growing confidence in Tasmania’s visitor economy.
“Elanor have a strong record of investment right around the county and are the owners of an iconic property… we want to work very closely alongside group such as this to leverage off the massive growth in our tourism industry,” he said.