The newly launched Constellation Hotel Group has added backpacker accommodation to its network of hotel brands across Australia.

The addition of backpacker accommodation comes with Constellation signing a long term management agreement to operate Footprints Westend Sydney, taking the number of the group�s operations to 30 hotels and resorts under management and 6 partner hotels.

One of Australia�s top five hotel management groups, Constellation Hotel Group is the umbrella brand for Touraust Corporation�s properties across Australia, covering The Chifley, Country Comfort and Australis hotels and resort brands, as well as six independently owned partner hotels and now the Footprints brand.

Chief Executive of Touraust Corporation, Mr Darryl Courtney � O�Connor said, �Being Australia�s largest privately owned hotel Management Company, we have been approached by several parties in recent years to extend our expertise into the backpacker style hotel market. We believe the time has come for a major hotel operator such as Constellation Hotel Group to get involved in this fast growing sector of the market.

Constellation Hotel Group is the first of the major hotel management companies to establish itself in the backpacker sector and will launch a chain of backpacker hotels branded Footprints across Australia when market opportunities arise.�

Footprints Westend Sydney was formerly owned by the Thakral Group and was converted by its existing owner in 1999 to be a leading backpacker hotel in the increasingly backpacker dominated area around Sydney�s Central railway and bus terminal.

The hotel was offered for sale early in 2002 and its new owner has appointed the Constellation Hotel Group to manage the hotel on its behalf, with effect from settlement on 1 July 2002.

The entry of the Constellation Hotel Group into this market with their reputation, business systems, knowledge, and positioning within the industry will ensure a level of professionalism in this segment, which previously has not existed.

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In addition, the opportunities that are presented by being part of the Constellation Hotel Group as well as the association with The International College of Tourism and Hotel Management at Manly make this an exciting opportunity for staff and guests.

Touraust Corporation launched Constellation Hotel Group, formerly Touraust Hotels, in April 2002 as an alliance for hotels around Australia looking to build their profile, bookings, marketing presence and distribution channels in Australia and overseas.

The partner hotels in the marketing partnership program gain access to Constellation�s distribution network, expertise in the areas of marketing, training and management systems and a central reservations centre � all of which have been developed by Touraust over the last 16 years.

Mr Courtney-O�Connor said �In a manner similar to the OneWorld and Star Alliance concept, we are developing a worldwide distribution network where corporate and holiday travellers, and now backpackers, can call just one reservation number or visit our website www.constellationhotels.com, to plan their accommodation in every capital city and major regional centre in Australia�.

Touraust Corporation employs about 2,000 staff across Australia and manages assets with an annual turnover worth more than $120 million, being ranked at 279 in the top 500 largest private companies in Australia (Business Review Weekly, August 2001).

For further information:

Patrick Raper Touraust Corporation (02) 9884 4444.