Sydney Opera House Achieves World Heritage Status
JUNE 29, 2007. State Plan Priority P1: Increase Tourism Visitation to NSW Sydney's iconic Opera House has achieved UNESCO World Heritage status today, placing the world renowned performing arts venue and tourist attraction officially alongside other listed landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, the Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China.
NSW Minister for Tourism, Matt Brown said the listing would add to the building's fame as a "must see" attraction in Australia. "It is entirely fitting that Sydney Opera House has been listed today. The UNESCO World Heritage Listing places Sydney Opera House in its rightful place as an official world landmark.
"When international visitors think of Australia, they think of Sydney and particularly of the Sydney Opera House. For many, a visit to the Opera House while they are in Sydney is not just a 'must do' but also an honour." Mr Brown said the Opera House was a core component of Tourism NSW's promotions for Sydney internationally under the There's no place in the world like Sydney brand.
"Tourism NSW works in partnership with Sydney Opera House to promote the city's most recognisable tourism icon internationally.
"Sydney Opera House is by far the city's most recognised tourist attraction, with about 4.5 million visitors and around 2500 performances each year." The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization announced a number of new entries to its listing at the 31st session of the World Heritage Committee in Christchurch, New Zealand this week.
Other landmarks listed by the Committee today include: South Africa's Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Lanscape and China's Kaiping Diaolou and Villages.
NSW currently has four World Heritage sites including the Lord Howe Island group, Willandra Lakes and the Greater Blue Mountains area UNESCO seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity. World Heritage sites are considered to belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
