THE new ownership of Wananavu Beach Resort in Rakiraki tells the remarkable story of a bold Australian couple’s dream to make a home where the “heart and suitcase is”.
Sean and Molly Tiesen initiated taking over the management of the resort in October last year, just eight months after Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston bore down on Fiji, wreaking havoc on northern Viti Levu.
The resort was one of a number of properties that opened faster than expected, resuming operations on February 26, a week after the category 5 storm forced the closure of a number of resort properties in the Western Division.
The couple officially took residence at the resort in February this year.
“We are adjusting to life here in Fiji very well, although having a small baby can make working and sleeping somewhat challenging,” Mr Tiesen said.
“The financial aspect of running a resort here in Fiji is quite challenging, especially the very high taxes.
“We are working through all of these, making genuine progress and seeing immediate results from our efforts.
“We look forward to continued growth through good management of the business.”
The perfect combination
Mr Tiesen was raised and schooled in Brisbane, Australia. He lived on the Gold Coast and started travelling the world at 21 years.
Wife Molly is from North Carolina, USA. When she completed college she lived in Maui, Hawaii, for 15 years before moving to Australia where she found her Aussie soul mate.
“As a couple we continue to grow, support and understand each other.
“We both have great strengths and skills in different areas of life and business, this equates to being a formidable force and the perfect combination for running resorts.
“We have faced many challenges, and of course there have been the challenges of finance and business.
“We understand the journey of life does not often work out as planned, the path can sometimes be rocky and unpredictable, but having good intent and a positive and balanced mind will always allow us to make decisions and choose directions that are best suited to the circumstance at the time.”
Feeling at home in Rakiraki
Located on a hill overlooking the Bligh Waters and a 20-minute drive from Rakiraki Town, Wananavu Beach Resort could be the answer to those seeking a quiet luxurious spot in one of the most untapped parts of Viti Levu.
For the Tiesens, the goal is to give tourists their most memorable experience, one that can be described in one word – wananavu!
Having travelled and lived in many places around the Pacific, the couple decided on the property after looking for a suitable spot to raise their child. For them, the obvious choice was Fiji.
“Our journey with Wananavu Beach Resort started back in October 2016 after two years working in a remote location in the Solomon Islands, and successfully operating a luxury resort,” Mr Tiesen said.
“We decided that the Solomons was not best suited for our future as Molly became pregnant with her first child. Fiji was the obvious choice to go next.
“Upon our first inspection of Wananavu it was very clear we had found a slice of paradise. Our backgrounds have seen us working in many remote and beautiful locations in the Pacific, Australia, Indonesia and Hawaii, therefore the transition to Wananavu was easy.”
Mr Tiesen said their experience so far has proven they made a good choice.
“The people of Rakiraki, our staff and industry partners have welcomed us with open arms. We can see huge potential for tourism growth in this forgotten corner of Fiji. It is so close to everything, yet feels so far away from the traditional tourist trail, you truly get to embrace the real Fiji.”
“Wananavu is unique and special, it has such great energy. To live and work here is a dream come true.”
Like many other businesses, they have had their fair share of challenges.
“Since we began managing the resort, business continues to increase. There was certainly some inherited and habitual issues to deal with, but we are making good head way and seeing immediate growth.”
Wananavu has potential
The couple is proud of Wananavu’s good name and brand.
“And our vision and ability to understand the need to build a strong business will drive Wananavu to a profitable future.
“For Wananavu Beach Resort, it’s the staff who give guests a lasting impression.
“The resort gardens and traditional style bure are kept to a high standard, guests enjoy the comforts of a great hotel as well as the feeling of being at home.
“Our cuisine is now consistently at a standard you would expect at any 5-star property, although not the price.”
Mr Tiesen works with the chefs to make sure meals are presented in a way the guests want to take photos and share the experience on Instagram or Facebook.
Resort has a lot to offer
The resort also has a different range of activities for guests to choose from if they don’t already have plans of their own.
As a guest of Wananavu, one can go as fast or slow as they feel.
They can scuba dive or learn to if they don’t have a license. They can also go out snorkelling, swim, enjoy beach picnics, island and sunset boat tours, fishing trips, water skiing and tube riding, kayaking, tennis, volleyball, and many other ball and resort games.
Guests can also sign up for great local tours to see some of the most picturesque areas in a nearby valleys.
Mr Tiesen said the resort also caters for those seeking to tie the knot.
“There is a lot more to Wananavu that people don’t know, most of all the feeling you get by just being here. This you can only experience yourself here at the resort. Wananavu in Fijian translates to awesome, the resort truly is exactly that.”
