Club Med is in the midst of an “ambitious development plan” that could see the all-inclusive brand open resorts in Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia AND its “dream destination”, Australia.
Almost seven years after closing its property on Queensland’s Lindeman Island, Club Med has indicated that it may be ready to return to Australia’s “exceptional & pristine” shores with a 5-Trident resort along the country’s coastline in a relatively unknown destination.
General Manager for Australia & New Zealand, Rachael Harding, told KARRYON in a Q&A that although it’s still early stages, Australia is the “dream destination” for the brand because of its “unique beauty, space, safety, and amazing local spirit”.
Club Med’s first Australian property shut its doors in early 2012.
However, before the luxury chain can open the doors to another Australian property, Rachael said certain conditions need to be met, including accessibility from several parts of the world, year-round attraction and multicultural appeal.
“We are feeling the accessibility has increased, and the conditions are more favourable than five years ago. But we are really at early stages,” she said.
Should the brand give in to its desire for an Australian resort, Rachael believes it will be located in a relatively new location because “Club Med has always been a pioneer in discovering and developing new destinations”.
“We would love to find the next amazing destination in Australia.”
Rachael Harding, Club Med General Manager for Australia & New Zealand
By the end of 2020 Club Med will introduce 15 new all-inclusive resorts.
Outside of its unique location, Rachael said the property would distinguish itself by sitting on an exceptional preserved location, providing premium facilities for families and offering a variety of sports and cultural activities for all active travellers.
Depending on the luxury resort’s location, the brand could also consider partnering with outback operators for a combined experience.
“The possibilities are endless and we always try to innovate to propose unique experiences to our guests that really highlight the destination they are visiting.”
Rachael Harding, Club Med General Manager for Australia & New Zealand
Club Med’s first Australian property on Lindeman Island – 30 minutes from Hamilton Island by boat – shut its doors on 31 January 2012 due to a downturn in global tourism.
The luxury resort chain said at the time of the property’s closure that it would look for another Australian location, most likely still in Queensland but not on an island.
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