7 December 2020: Visitors to Ballarat have an impressive new accommodation option to choose from this summer, with Quest Apartment Hotels opening its second property in the city today, 7 December, Quest Ballarat Station.
The stylish 77-room hotel located on Nolan Street is just footsteps from the train station and marks the second component of the Ballarat Station Precinct Redevelopment to come to fruition by award-winning property developer Pellicano, the first being the multi-deck commuter carpark.
“It’s a privilege to be part of such an iconic project in Ballarat and be opening the doors of our second property in the city”, said Quest Apartment Hotels General Manager of Growth and Capital Strategy, James Shields.
“Quest and Pellicano have a longstanding history, having worked on seven prominent apartment hotel developments in some of Australia’s most sought-after locations, and Quest Ballarat Station is certainly no exception”.
The Victorian State Government’s $28.3 million Ballarat Station Precinct Redevelopment project will transform one of Ballarat’s most iconic heritage sites into a thriving community, dining, and retail hub, which will include heritage-listed local favourite The Goods Shed.
Enhanced tourism demand will be underpinned by Quest Ballarat Station’s mix of modern serviced apartment and studios, complete with gymnasium, business lounge and a range of Quest speciality services including local restaurant chargeback, the Pantry Shopping for groceries and guest laundry services.
“Quest Ballarat will reap the benefits of the Victorian Government’s Ballarat Station Precinct Redevelopment Project; the area will soon be a thriving hub of activity that commercial and lifestyle travellers will frequent.
“The benefit of a new Quest in Ballarat is two-pronged, our team has been able to utilise a hyper-local workforce, which has helped to buoy the area’s economy; the new hotel also brings in new travellers and revenue, providing a further boost.
“Following the shift in the tourism sector following a turbulent 2020, we expect travellers from Victoria and interstate to spend their tourist dollars in regional locations such as Ballarat, as the short and medium-term future of international travel remains unclear” said Pellicano managing director Nando Pellicano.
According to Tourism Research Australia, 3.36m visitors travelled to Ballarat in 2019, adding $613m into the local economy (1). The sector which typically sustains an estimated 3,010 jobs, representing 6.2% of total employment (2), has been adversely affected in 2020 by the pandemic.
Optimistically, Quest Ballarat Station will employ 12 people across guest services, housekeeping and management in a mix of full time, part time and casual positions.
According to James Shields from Quest Apartment Hotels, Quest Ballarat Station will be a popular choice for both business and leisure guests, in a city poised for ongoing growth and development.
“As the third largest and fastest growing city in Victoria with a rich heritage, Ballarat is not only a premier destination for both domestic and international tourism, but a high performing market for corporate travel.
“With record State and Federal government infrastructure investment and a number of urban renewal projects already underway, we anticipate Quest Ballarat Station will accommodate an increasing number of business travellers over the years to come”.
Apartments at Quest Ballarat Station boast full kitchen, dining area, king beds, heating/air conditioning, washing machine and dryer, refrigerator, toaster, kettle and microwave, spacious bathroom, workstation, LCD television and complimentary WiFi internet access. Meanwhile studio-style rooms offer a more compact alternative, ideal for shorts stays and weekends away.
“There’s enormous demand for domestic travel right now, particularly to regional areas. Just over one hour by train from Southern Cross Station, Ballarat is the perfect place for a weekend getaway”, said Mr Shields.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING QUEST PLEASE CONTACT
Madeleine Maher - Marketing & Communications Manager
Quest Apartment Hotels
Level 21, 390 St Kilda Road, Melbourne VIC 3004
E: mmaher@questapartments.com.au
Tel: +61 3 8699 1500 Mob: +61 439 002 693