Chiefs book in for new hotel opening

By Kelly Yates
THE opening of the Chifley Doveton hotel is set to boost tourism in Casey and Dandenong, according to Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding
AFL personality Sam Kekovich entertained guests as they were wined and dined at the official opening of the four-and-a-half star hotel on Tuesday night.
Mr Holding opened the 128-room hotel which includes a conference centre with onsite parking, a restaurant and the Coldwater Creek Tavern and Microbrewery.
Guests were taken on a tour of the hotel and its deluxe rooms and suites on the night, with staff saying the occupancy rate had been about 50 per cent full since opening its doors in June.
Constellation Hotel Group managing director Jonathan Wooller said the Chifley Doveton had been designed with modern and efficient rooms and sustainable features.
The hotel has installed a solar hot water pre-heat system, which reduces the energy required for heating water, and also installed efficient lighting controls.
Mr Holding said Victoria continued to attract local, interstate and international visitors because of its first-class infrastructure, facilities and services and its reputation for being the home of the most stylish and sophisticated Australian city, Melbourne.
“The National Visitor Survey for the year ending June 2009 revealed that Victoria was the only state to record positive growth in interstate overnight visitors compared to the previous year – overtaking Queensland for the first time since records were taken,” he said.