Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces delighted to announce that BLUE Sydney, A Taj Hotel has joined Virtuoso®, the world's leading luxury travel agency network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 330 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel advisors in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand.

Renowned for creating exceptional travel experiences, Virtuoso works with travel advisors who are among the best-travelled people on the planet. They draw upon their own first-hand experiences when customizing vacations for customers and pride themselves on creating customized experiences and only working with the world's best.

"Virtuoso has been curating a portfolio of the most desired properties worldwide for more than 20 years. BLUE Sydney, at Taj Hotel has been accepted as a Virtuoso property, and will be a wonderful addition to our program," commented Albert Herrera, senior vice president of Global Product Partnerships.

"We're immensely proud to have been accepted into the prestigious Virtuoso group, and to be recognized amongst the finest hotels in the world" said Ben Johnson, Director of Sales & Marketing for BLUE Sydney. "This is an honour that our whole team can take pride in."

For further information on BLUE Sydney, A TAJ Hotel, please contact:

Nicole Craig

BLACK Communications

Ph: 02 8399 3005

Email: nicole@blackcommunications.com.au

Blue Sydney, A Taj Hotel's Awards

BLUE Sydney is one of Sydney's most awarded hotels, with numerous international and domestic accolades including:

•  
  2013 Certificate of Excellence for BLUE Sydney from
  TripAdvisor, placing BLUE in the top 10% of businesses globally.
• 
  2012 Tourism Accommodation Australian Awards for
  Excellence - Bar of the Year 2012 WaterBar, BLUE Sydney
• 
  2012 BLUE Sydney features at No. 4 in the Luxury
  Travel Gold List in the category of Best Australian Hotel
• 
  2012 BLUE Sydney features at No. 3 in the Luxury
  Travel Gold List in the category of Best Australian boutique property, villa or
  lodge
• 
  2012 BLUE Sydney features at No. 9 in the Top 25
  Trendiest Hotels in Australia in the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards
• 
  2012 BLUE Sydney features at No. 11 in the Top 25
  Trendiest Hotels in South Pacific in the TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Awards
• 
  2012 Conde Nast UK, GOLD LIST includes BLUE Sydney
• 
  2011 Australian Hotels Association Award for
  Excellence - WaterBar, BLUE Sydney
• 
  2010 Conde Nast Readers Choice Award selects BLUE
  as the 'Top Hotel in Oceania'
• 
  2010 World Travel Awards London - BLUE Sydney
  awarded 'Australia's Leading Boutique Hotel'

BLUE Sydney, A Taj Hotel

Situated on the waterfront of the Finger Wharf at Woolloomooloo, BLUE Sydney provides guests with the best Sydney has to offer. Not only is it within walking distance of the CBD and the Sydney Opera House, it is also adjacent to the Royal Botanic Gardens, providing a great spot for those early morning or leisurely walks along Sydney's spectacular harbour.

Combining cutting edge interiors with the intimacy of a boutique hotel, BLUE's unique design has brought to life the historic Sydney wharves and created a hotel that is constantly updating to provide services and features to cater for its guests' every desire. With 100 guest rooms and the undeniably chic Water Bar, BLUE Sydney backs up its beauty with inspired food and service.

About Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces

Established in 1901, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is one of Asia's largest and finest group of hotels, comprising 97 hotels in 54 locations across India with an additional 16 international hotels in the Maldives, Malaysia, Australia, UK, USA, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Africa and the Middle East. From world renowned landmarks to modern business hotels, idyllic beach resorts to authentic Grand Palaces, each Taj hotel offers an unrivalled fusion of warm Indian hospitality, world-class service and modern luxury. For over a century, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, the iconic flagship has set a benchmark for fine living with exquisite refinement, inventiveness and warmth. Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces is part of the Tata Group, India's premier business house.

About Virtuoso

Virtuoso® is the industry's leading luxury travel network. This by-invitation-only organization comprises over 340 agencies with more than 7,200 elite travel specialists in 20 countries in North and South America, the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand, as well as over 1,700 of the world's best travel providers and premier destinations. The network's member agencies generate over $9.6 billion annually in travel sales, making the group the most powerful in
the luxury travel segment. Their relationships with the finest travel companies provide the network's affluent clientele with exclusive amenities, rare experiences and privileged access. Visit www.virtuoso.com, or view Virtuoso's latest videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/VirtuosoTraveler.