00:00Oh! He scared me!
00:03Hamilton Island, one of Australia's most iconic holiday destinations,
00:07has been bought by a US company.
00:10The island was sold to US private equity giant Blackstone
00:14in a deal reportedly worth about $1.2 billion.
00:18The Whitsundays resort had been owned by an Australian family,
00:22the Oatleys, for more than 20 years,
00:25during which time it was transformed
00:27into one of Australia's most popular tropical getaways,
00:30set in the heart of the Great Barrier Reef.
00:34Hamilton Island spans more than 2,800 acres across two islands,
00:39featuring multiple hotels, restaurants, a marina,
00:43airport and championship golf course,
00:46and remains a major employer in the Whitsundays.
00:50The move further cements American company Blackstone's
00:53growing footprint in Australia's hospitality sector,
00:56following its takeover of Crown Resorts.
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