Created to meet the
needs of a bourgeoning tourism industry, Ayers Rock Resort celebrates 30
years of operation this month. To commemorate the occasion Voyages
commissioned a song, Tjukurpa Ninti, written to
capture the essence of the destination.
The Resort’s 30th
anniversary follows three years of intense rejuvenation including a full
renovation of the five star Sails in the Desert hotel, opening of
conference facility the Uluru Meeting Place, the establishment
of the National Indigenous Training Academy with an increase in
Indigenous employment at the Resort from 2 to over 250, the introduction
of a suite of daily free Indigenous guest activities and new touring
options including the great value Outback Sky Journeys
and exclusive Tali Wiru under the stars dining experience.
The decision to
build Ayers Rock Resort was made in the early 1970s following concern
about the ad hoc development around the base of Uluru and the
acknowledgement that tourism was significant to the regional
economy. Construction began in 1982 and completed in 1984 with the
official opening of Yulara town centre in 1984 and the opening of the
Sheraton (now Sails in the Desert Hotel).
“Ayers Rock Resort
has seen many milestones in the last 30 years, and it is a great
opportunity to look back at the foresight of the NT Government in
investing in a lasting infrastructure that would become a hub
for tourism in the region,” said Voyages Chief Executive Officer Andrew
Williams.
To commemorate the
30th anniversary, Voyages worked with CAAMA Music (Central Australian
Aboriginal Media Association) to commission local Indigenous musician,
Stewart Gaykamangu in conjunction with members of
the Mutitjulu community to produce a song, Tjukurpa Ninti that
reflects the spiritual nature of the destination. The song is also
available for sale through iTunes with 50% of the profits going to the
artist and 50% to the Mutitjulu Foundation
to benefit the local community.
Tjukurpa Ninti can be found at:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/tjukurpa-ninti-touch-silence/id914262673
“The anniversary
also allows us to take stock and plan development of the Resort so it
thrives for the next 30 years and beyond. As such, we are delighted to
announce the next stage of the Resort’s refurbishment
program – that of Emu Walk Apartments,” said Andrew.
In all 40 x one
bedroom and 23 x two bedroom apartments complete with kitchen
facilities, modern flat screen televisions and separate living areas
ideal for families will undergo a complete refurbishment to complement
the modern Indigenous design of the Resort.
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