Emirates and Marriott International have signed an agreement to reopen the shuttered Wolgan Valley property in Australia’s Blue Mountains as the world’s first Ritz-Carlton Lodge. Emirates originally opened the property in 2009 as Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort before partnering with luxury hotel group One&Only Resorts to operate it as Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley. “We are proud of our long-term investment into the Emirates Wolgan Valley Resort which launched one of Australia’s first conservation-based luxury resorts,” said Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline. “Marking the brand’s lodge debut globally, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will be a major drawcard for our network of 260 million loyal Marriott Bonvoy members around the world,” said Rajeev Menon, President of Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International. “For us, Emirates Wolgan Valley, a Ritz-Carlton Lodge will not only be an extraordinary resort appealing to discerning travellers seeking to be close to nature, but also a powerful engine for local economic growth, helping to rejuvenate the Wolgan Valley locality,” Clark said.