MAJOR upgrade works at Tokoriki Island Resort were completed during the first few months of the year, says general manager Robert Ring.
He also labelled the first half of the year as “challenging” because of the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston.
“I think it is the quieter season for the first half of the year and we’re certainly not alone when it comes to a struggling start to the year,” he said.
“We were closed earlier this year and opened for a very short period and then the cyclone hit so it’s been a hard and challenging start to the year, one we would probably not want to try and replicate so it’s now onward and upward into the busier time of the year.”
The renovations at the resort included revamping the kitchen, floor tiling and renovations of bure and staff accommodation blocks.
In spite on the closure of many resorts, Mr Ring said occupancies were healthy.
However, increasing competition from rival destinations still proved to be a challenge.
“Certainly the increased taxes don’t help and that has created a huge challenge for tourism in Fiji in general when compared with a lot of desirable destinations not too far away from here.”
Mr Ring said further reinvestment into properties was a way of putting money back into the country and helping boost the industry.
“This is something that is a challenge and the highlight is that everything new is being built but there isn’t a lot of focus on existing resorts.
“We’ve been here for more than 20 years so it’s that level of iconic operations and there are a lot local resorts in Fiji that need renovating and reinvestment put back into Fiji and tourism.”
