ONE of the pioneers of the duty free and electronics retail sectors in the country announced yesterday the development of a $70million five-star resort property in Nadi Bay.
The Gokal Group of companies unveiled the Nadi Bay Resort & Spa at Wailoaloa Beach at a ceremony where Tourism Minister Faiyaz Koya was the chief guest.
Group general manager Vikesh Gokal said the project, which will produce about 300 employment opportunities, was 15 years in the making.
“Most people associate Gokals with the electronics trade and we have been involved in retail and distribution of electronics for over 40 years,” Mr Gokal said.
“However, our business was first established by my grandfather Bhagwan Gokal in 1929. He was a retailer of drapery, textiles and fabrics.”
Mr Gokal said the new five-star development was not the company’s first hotel accommodation venture, the group has owned and operated the Peninsula Hotel in Suva since 1973, making them pioneers in the industry in Suva.
He said one of the group’s proudest achievements in developing the Wailoaloa property was the fact that most of the work was being done with local participation.
“Our financiers are the Fiji Development Bank and HFC Bank, our architects — LHM — are local and our contractors — Western Builders — are local.
“This builds the capacity of local businesses and keeps the money in Fiji, which is important.”
Leading hotel operator in the Asia-Pacific region, Accor, will manage the more than 240-room upscale property.
Senior vice-president operations Accor New Zealand and Fiji Garth Simmons said Accor’s partnership with Gokals would grow its Fijian hotel network.
“Pullman is the fastest growing brand in Asia-Pacific and Accor brings to the table 12 years of operational experience to the islands,” Mr Simmons said.
Accor operates four hotels in the country — Mecure in Nadi, Novotel Lami, Novotel Nadi and the prestigious Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Denarau Island in Nadi.
“In recent times, we have recognised a sweet spot in the upscale market in Fiji, ideal for Pulman brand which bridges the needs for business and leisure guests.
“We congratulate Gokal Group on their initiative and vision to invest in this great development and believe it will contribute to the true potential of this region being realised in coming years via significant employment, tourism and revenue growth.”
Mr Koya said the new development was another example of the Fijian Government’s vision of providing high quality service. “I would like to express our appreciation to the Gokal Group for 70 years of commitment to the country,” he said.
“As Tourism Minister, I am very pleased to see tourism developments driven by local investors.
“Total investment in 2014 was about 25 per cent of GDP of which more than half was private sector-driven.”
Mr Koya said tourism was the largest contributor to the economy.
Last year, he said, tourism contributed 33 per cent of the gross domestic product with total direct foreign income of $1.392billion.
Once completed in June 2016, the five-star property will boast more than 234 rooms, 16 suites, six restaurants and bars, two swimming pools and a day spa.
The beachfront property will also have four conference rooms with 400 seat capacity.
