In a night celebrating the best the Victorian hotel accommodation industry has to offer Atura Dandenong received recognition for making a difference by taking out the gong for Outstanding Community Service & Achievement.  The 2016 Tourism Accommodation Australia (Victoria) Accommodation Awards reward excellence across a broad range of hotel operations and individual achievements.  

The “Outstanding Community Service and Achievement” award recognises the substantial contribution made by Atura Dandenong – both through direct philanthropic support and fostering hospitality career opportunities.

In addition to the Outstanding Community Service & Achievement, three of the hotel's local staff were named category finalists for individual excellence in service - Anastasia Parashis for Hotel Industry Rising Star, Jessica Dimech for Food and Beverage Services and Samantha Farrington for Sales.

Connection to local communities and promotion of the tourism and hospitality industry is a fundamental part of the Atura offering and the Dandenong property has made significant, diverse and far reaching contribution to the communities it serves. More than 30 different organisations have received support this this year alone; from work placement programmes to inspire a future generation of hospitality industry career professionals to sponsorship of sporting clubs, charities, the arts, participation and support of business networking groups plus support of school programmes and activities. This support helped ensure Foutaingate Secondary College's Future Problem Solver's Group were able to travel abroad to the USA to compete at an International level.

The award caps off a big year for the property which opened as an Atura Hotel in April last year after an extensive renovation and refurbishment. The urban, industrial and design-inspired Atura Dandenong hotel lies on the border of the Casey Cardinia and Dandenong municipalities serving some of the state's fastest growing business park precincts and a growing leisure market seeking unique and different tourism experiences.

"We are delighted at the recognition this achievement brings for Atura Dandenong,” said Geoff York, Director of Operations and Development, Atura Hotels and Resorts. “Active participation with and in our communities to ensure they're thriving and vibrant places for people of all ages to live in and visit is a strong focus for Atura. This award helps to reaffirm our commitment to strengthening support and partnerships within our surrounding neighbourhoods into the future.”

Atura Dandenong General Manager Lisa Parker plays an active role advocating for the growth of tourism in the region, both in her role and through her work on the Casey Cardinia Tourism Advisory Panel.
“I'm incredibly proud of both the Outstanding Community Service and Achievement award and the finalist accolades for our phenomenal team members. The award is a credit to our broader hotel team” said Lisa Parker. “Without their support, the impact the hotel has made through its' community engagement programme would not have been so great”.

ENDS

About Atura Hotels:

Urban, industrial and art-inspired, Atura Hotels are where modern business and leisure travelers escape the predictable to embrace a new style of travel. This fresh take on the mid-market travel experience fuses dynamic communal spaces, hip styling and the latest technology at surprisingly affordable prices ensuring guests feel connected and energised. Expect free Wi Fi and a host of other benefits each time you stay. Engagement with surrounding communities and active support of the local music & art scene are fundamental to the Atura brand philosophy.

Atura Hotels are the latest brand by renowned hotel and entertainment brand Event Hospitality and Entertainment (formerly Amalgamated Holdings Limited) which also owns multi-award winning QT Hotels and Resorts, Rydges Hotels and Resorts, Art Series Hotels, Event Cinemas and Thredbo Resort.

Conceptualised by renowned hotelier and Event Hospitality and Entertainment Managing Director David Seargeant, the Atura Hotels accommodation offering was curated by collaborators behind the company's multi-award winning designer QT Hotels and Resorts brand. “Atura brings a fresh approach to the local Australian accommodation industry,” said Group Managing Director, AHL David Seargeant. “The Atura brand is part of a growing global trend towards design-driven hotels offering guests a unique experience – Atura does this with even more value.”

Over the next few years, Atura Hotels will continue to be launched across Australia in select CBD locations, business park precincts and regional hubs. The multi-award winning hotel brand now boasts three properties in its portfolio including Atura Blacktown, Atura Albury which officially opened in January 2015 and Atura Dandenong which opened in April 2015.

www.aturahotels.com