Marriott International calls for international flights into Hobart as it reveals $50m Parliament Square hotel plan

INTERNATIONAL flights must happen for Hobart to get the most out of a proposed $50 million luxury hotel, says Marriott Hotels’ vice-president.

An artist’s impression of the proposed Marriott International hotel in the Parliament Square development.

INTERNATIONAL flights must happen for Hobart to get the most out of a proposed $50 million luxury hotel, Marriott Hotels vice-president Sean Hunt says.

Marriott — the world’s largest hotel company — is expanding into Hobart as part of the ongoing Parliament Square project.

The seven-story, 128 five-star room hotel is yet to be named but will operate under the banner of Marriott’s Luxury Collection — and is the the first to do so in Australia.

MORE: PARLIAMENT SQUARE DEVELOPMENT MARKS MAJOR MILESTONE

It is planned for the hotel to open in October next year and Mr Hunt said the benefits for Tasmania would be many.

“We have been following this project [the Parliament Square redevelopment] with great interest and we are delighted to be here, this is our entry into Tasmania,” Mr Hunt said.

“Directly or indirectly we will hire about 100 Tasmanians and we do hire locally.”

An artist’s impression of the Marriott International Hotel that will be part of the Parliament Square development. Picture: SUPPLIED

Mr Hunt said if direct international flights to and from Tasmania were secured, then the hotel would be even more successful than anticipated.

“Next thing is an international airlift because we have this 100 million loyalty members program which we would love to bring to the city of Hobart,” he said.

“We believe this will especially resonate with the Asian market.”

Hobart Lord Mayor Sue Hickey said it was vital international flights were secured.

“We are in an economic renaissance that we haven’t seen for 25 years; we have things going on everywhere,” she said.

“The airport is absolutely critical, we must have better access to Hobart and greater Tasmania for that matter.”

Marriott Hotels vice-president Sean Hunt outside what will be the entrance to the new hotel in Parliament Square. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

Premier Will Hodgman said it was a massive endorsement for the state that Marriott was willing to invest in Tasmania and the development would create 150 jobs during construction.

“We are delighted that they want to be a part of this historic development at Parliament Square,” Mr Hodgman said.

Marriott International has 6000 hotels around the world, with more than 100 as part of its Luxury Collection

The company hopes to have the hotel operational by October next year.