News in Brief: Thursday February 27

Air New Zealand has announced a record result for the first half of the 2014 financial year with normalised earnings before tax of NZ$180 million – up 29% on the previous corresponding period. 

Statutory earnings before taxation were NZ$197 million, with net profit after taxation of $140 million, an increase of 40%.

Chairman Tony Carter said that with stable fuel prices and a traditional seasonal earnings pattern of a stronger first half, the airline expects to deliver a full year result of normalised earnings before taxation in excess of NZ$300 million.

New Zealand saw total holiday arrivals climb 14.7% In January compared with the same month last year.

“What is really positive is the growth is coming from developing Asian markets, traditional Western markets, and our nearest and biggest market, Australia,” Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said.

UK numbers rose 11.9%, Germany growth hit 22.9% while Australia delivered an increase of 8.1%.

Accor has commenced the recruitment process for as many as 60 hospitality positions as its new Ibis Adelaide property gears up for a mid-year opening.

The 17-storey Ibis Adelaide will become fully operational in July with new executive roles to come on board as early as the middle of next month. The building process has already created 200 local construction jobs.

FRHI Hotels & Resorts has appointed Andrew Gibson as vice president, spas & wellness, based in Dubai.

FRHI is the parent company of luxury and upper upscale hotel brands Raffles Hotels & Resorts, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Swissôtel Hotels & Resorts.

Three Ibis Budget hotels in Queensland and Victoria have been updated with an “innovative” new interior design following the re-branding of all Formule 1 hotels to the new Ibis Budget brand.

Ibis Budget Brisbane Airport, Ibis Budget Melbourne Airport and Ibis Budget Dandenong now have the new ‘Avanzi’ design by Paris-based Philippe Avanzielicit. It features “bold designs, natural materials, bright colours and attractive lighting” – a complete change from the old Formule 1 look.

The $3.2 million refurbishment across the three hotels has seen the lobby areas, breakfast rooms and guestrooms updated.