The first sod was turned earlier on the construction of a brand-new hotel at Melbourne Airport. The 464-room hotel, created to serve Melbourne’s burgeoning conference and tourism markets, will be conveniently located steps from Terminal 4 within a new precinct known as The Hive.

Building on the success of its debut on the Gold Coast and central Melbourne, Avani Hotels & Resorts will welcome guests to two new properties in Australia. Avani Adelaide Residences and Avani Melbourne Box Hill Residences will both open later this year.

Authorities in Queensland have partnered with Uber to launch a new submarine experience on the Great Barrier Reef. Guests will be able to hail scUber, branded as the first rideshare submarine experience in the world, from Monday in order to head to the iconic Australian destination.

Peter Savoff will fill the role following the recent promotion of previous general manager, Janet Hamilton, to lead the Cairns Convention Centre. He joins the AEG Ogden Family from the Anthony John Property Group where he managed the Emporium Hotel since opening in 2007.

Event Hospitality & Entertainment has entered into a management agreement for its newest QT Hotels & Resorts property.

South Australia, the location of the next World Routes event, has reported a record number of visors to the region, with the state’s visitor economy soaring to an all-time-high of AUD$6.9 billion.