An iconic Australian destination on a remote island off the Northern Queensland coastal town of Mission Beach, Karen was approached to take on the role of Group General Manager for Dunk and Bedarra by new investor owners looking to develop their new brand “Hideaway Resorts”.
Karen was commissioned to reposition these two iconic properties for their new future. This included developing new niche concepts that would allow synergies between the two properties which were of different star ratings to allow cross marketing strategies with the same guests, and at the same time to highlight their unique points of differences to these same guests.
Karen Taylor completed a full revisioning and refurbishment design concept, for Dunk Island, Australia’s first family island resort destination. Tasked to complete the design, procurement of all FFE and the project management concurrent to full resort operation accountabilities.
Dunk was a highly popular family destination, but was ready for a major overhaul to secure its continuing place as preferred family resort. The older rooms were very tired. Dunk required a large psychological boost. A complete review and revision of how to deliver service and exceed guest expectations. It also required new images to support this re-branding.
The main focus was on providing more activities and unique experiences around adventure and play, and to focus on balancing the needs of families and couples with strategies that would ensure ( like Jean Michel Cousteau Resort ) that the potential conflicts were resolved.
Regrettably both resorts were wiped out simultaneously by a direct hit from Cyclone Yasi.
