RUNNING a successful tourism operation involves more than having a rudimentary grasp of business know-how.
That’s the view of Castaway Island Resort general manager Steven Andrews.
He said the resort’s rise to iconic status also had a lot to do with decisions in socially and environmentally sound, responsible policies and initiatives that created shared value among tourism enterprises and stakeholders.
This strategy, he said, leads to improved relationships between stakeholders, effective human resource management and better market standing.
Waste management
In its 50 years of operation, Castaway has given enormous emphasis on the sustainable management of its waste.
Mr Andrews said the popular Mamanuca holiday haven remained committed to environmental maintenance and enhancement.
“We work with both the local community and commercial stakeholders to ensure that our resort operations are of the highest quality and are in compliance with the Department of Environment requirements,” he said.
“Over the past 50 years, management set a compliant guideline for waste management.
“The resort takes responsibility to ensure proper in-house training on waste management is provided to all our staff in the sorting of solid waste, recycling and assessment of waste removal to the mainland.
“All grey water is sent to our state-of-the-art treatment plant where it is treated through aeration and the effluent is pumped to the mountain to irrigate vegetation.
Mr Andrews said kitchen waste was removed daily and transported to the Lautoka landfill.
“And all PET, coloured bottles, tins, aluminium, paper and cardboard is sent to the mainland to be recycled.”
Community social responsibility
Investing in the development of nearby communities is just as important as enticing guests, Mr Andrews said.
According to the resort GM, no tourism property could effectively do business without paying respect to the traditional landowners and empowering the people who lived on nearby islands.
Mr Andrews said educating people and especially the children about the importance of maintaining a pristine environment was mutually beneficial.
“In terms of corporate social responsibility, Castaway Island Resort does projects with the local community school in Solevu Village,” he shared.
“This includes engaging the school in environmental activities with the assistance of the Mamanuca Environment Society (MES).
“This allows them to learn the importance of and appreciate the pristine environment they live in.
“We schedule regular talanoa sessions with the assistance of MES for our host village and use this opportunity to hold community-based workshops, training of fish wardens and the importance of replanting native and medicinal trees.
“Apart from the emphasis on encouraging environment-friendly practices, Castaway Island also gives locals access to jobs within the country’s fastest-growing sector.
“We provide work opportunities for the local community and subsequently, 20 per cent of our 209 employees are from Solevu Village.
“Additionally, we provide support in terms of monetary assistance, frozen goods and school stationery whenever they have social events.
“Moreover, when our guests bring stationery items to the resort, we deliver the items to the school principal at Solevu.”
Happy workers, happy tourists
The resort has one of the highest guest returnee rates in the country at 40 per cent. And while most holiday retreats experience big dips during the traditional tourist low season between November and March, except for December, the property has no difficulty enticing guests to its shores. Its longest returnee is the Braddock family.
