Page 32 - Tropic Magazine Issue 10

Industry
Interview

Why Ghassan Aboud appears remarkably relaxed and upbeat for someone who just
stepped off a plane straight into the tropical summer heat. After a last-minute
decision to fly halfway around the world for what will only be a 24-hour visit, he’s
here to mark a major company milestone.
not Mr Aboud didn’t plan to be in Cairns for the official unveiling of the names and
brands of his first three hotels. The occasion was originally intended to be a small
VIP gathering hosted by his Crystalbrook Collection CEO Mark Davie and group
director of marketing Katie Malone. But in a sign of his commitment to the
Cairns? projects, he thought his presence would send the right message to both his staff
and the local community.
Mr Aboud and his team are acutely aware of local scepticism about an out-of-town
billionaire snapping up prime sites like the city was a giant Monopoly board. The
hollow promises of the Aquis casino project seriously dampened the city’s
Tropic sits down with willingness to embrace international investment on this unprecedented scale.
Ghassan Aboud to find out From the beginning of Mr Aboud’s investment foray in the city (kickstarted with
the purchase of the former Rydges Tradewinds site in March 2016), securing local
why he invested $700 million support and buy-in to the company’s vision has been high on the agenda for his
in the Tropical North. team. All the more reason Mr Aboud felt it necessary to attend this particular
function, a milestone in the company’s progression.
Words Gavin King
In an extended interview with Tropic during his brief visit, Mr Aboud said he
chose to invest $700 million in the Cairns region because the upside for growth
was greater than any other destination in Australia, and many other tourism
cities around the world.