For the first time the prestigious, highly competitive ‘Best New Tourism Development Award’ awarded by the Queensland Tourism Awards 2009 has been given to a backpacker property – Brisbane City YHA.
Mandy Monk, who heads up the Sales and Marketing in Europe commented, ‘this is a true sign of the contribution and investment made by YHA in recent years. The budget travel sector is one of the few areas of travel that continues to see growth during these difficult financial times and YHA Australia is leading the way by ensuring that their hostels offer the best facilities, superb safety standards, great fun and overall good value for money’
The brand $19million new Brisbane City YHA that opened in 2009 is a purpose-built high tech 372 budget bed hostel. The centrally located facility is the perfect base for independent travellers, couples and families to explore sunny southeast Queensland. Designed specifically to meet the demands of the 21st Century budget traveller, the YHA incorporates modern comforts, high-tech communications, sociability, security and environmental sustainability. The uniquely Australian-themed building offers five floors of accommodation and social areas, each one encouraging guests to discover the many great wonders of the Australian landscape; city, rainforest, beach, outback and reef. This truly is a stay with a difference!
Facilities include a rooftop swimming pool overlooking the Brisbane River and city skyline, a modern self-catering kitchen, a Games Room with weekly Nintendo Wii guest competitions, TV Lounge and most importantly air-conditioned bedrooms (twin, double, family and multi-share) with many having en-suite facilities. Prices are from around £14 per night
YHA Queensland CEO, Ralph Kajet said “YHA’s ambitious investment in the Queensland tourism industry is already paying off. Backpackers are spending more overnights in Queensland than in any other state, and we need to keep them here by providing an experience like no other. We believe the new Brisbane City YHA has achieved this.”
In 2009 YHA nationally invested over $55M in 2009 in developing three new gateway properties in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
If you are considering backpacking around Australia, why not come visit the travel section at Down Under Live! in London on the 30th and 31st January 2010.
