Metro Hotels focuses on growing New Zealand market

Draft Media Release
June 6, 2006

With the number of New Zealand visitors to Australia continuing to rise, steadily growing at a rate of 7.6% over the last 10 years*, Metro Hotels in Australia has identified the NZ business and leisure markets as one of its fastest growing customer sectors.

In particular, staff at the 4 star, 60 room Metro Apartments on Bank Place, the Group's Melbourne based boutique apartment hotel, have noticed a rise in the number of New Zealand visitors.

"According to Tourism Victoria there were 224,338 visitors to Victoria last year, an increase of 1.1%. More importantly, New Zealand visitors are spending more time in Victoria, and in turn staying more nights in Melbourne. Our customer base at Metro Apartments on Bank Place certainly reflects these figures," said Mr Rajeev Dani, Chief Operating Officer, Metro Hotels.

Recent refurbishments at Metro Apartments on Bank Place have focused on providing quality, inner city apartment accommodation at a competitive, .value for money' price. Mr Dani believes this style of accommodation is particularly popular with New Zealand travellers.

"Visitors from New Zealand usually spend more than one night in Melbourne and both one bedroom and studio apartment suites have an attractive, .livable' interior ambience with understated modern dining room furniture and luxury Queen sized beds. As well, there is a fully equipped kitchen, giving longer term guests the option of either dining in or out, helping them to stay within a sensible budget."

The Apartments' city central location is another major draw card for New Zealand visitors. Positioned on a heritage-listed cobble stoned piazza, the Apartments' surrounds encapsulate all of Melbourne's renowned European charm. A short walk will take leisure visitors to major tourist attractions and the convenience of Melbourne's notoriously efficient public transport system makes it easy to spend the day at outer-city hot spots like chic St Kilda, or the Italian restaurant haven of Lygon Street.

The Apartments are also increasingly popular with New Zealand business travellers, given its proximity to the city's legal and financial hubs, and for those drawn to Melbourne for its many world class sporting and arts events including the Melbourne Cup, Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Australian Open Tennis Championships and International Comedy Festival.

Guests are able to book at Metro Apartments on Bank Place and other Metro Hotels properties by calling the toll free Central Reservations line on 1800 004 321. Alternatively bookings can be made online by logging onto the new-look website, www.metrohotels.com.au

Metro Hotels is the public face of Transmetro Corporation, an Australian owned public company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Group currently provides a national accommodation network of properties, with over 800 rooms in key locations and major cities across Australia.

*Tourism Victoria, International Market Profile, New Zealand, Year Ending Dec 2005.