FIJI’s iconic tourism and hospitality company, Rosie Travel Group, blazed yet another trail when it won two major awards at the prestigious Prime Minister’s International Business Awards 2025.
Rosie took home the Prime Minister’s International Business – Supreme Award and the Prime Minister’s Excellence in Service Award.
The Supreme Award is the highest recognition a Fijian business can receive personally chosen by the Prime Minister to honour a company that has demonstrated:
-Strong commercial success;
-International growth;
-Innovation;
-Job creation;
-Sustainability;
-Positive community impact.
The Excellence in Service Award, according to Investment Fiji, recognises the highest level of service excellence, consistently demonstrates excellence in teamwork, and collaboration with its customers, and proves its willingness to excel in its responsiveness to its customers, and earns respect in the community.
Rosie Travel Group managing director Tony Whitton said the awards recognition were very special to the entire Rosie and Ahura Resorts family.
“My parents started a small tour company in 1974, and at the heart of that company, Rosie Tours – was a genuine belief that tourism had the power to lift every Fijian out of poverty,” Mr Whitton said.
“Fast forward 50 years, and one of the greatest joys for me working at Rosie Holidays and Ahura Resorts is the opportunity for Brigid and I to actually meet the hundreds of everyday Fijian people whose lives have been changed because of tourism.
“If you come to our head office, you will see a giant signboard as you walk up the stairs – the figure 11.
For every 11 visitors Rosie meets at the Nadi International Airport, provides one job to a Fijian and two other jobs indirectly.
It is the figure 11 that drives us, that we come to work not because it’s a job but because we genuinely believe that tourism can help people.
“Just last week, Brigid and I had the opportunity to be at a special graduation ceremony in a maritime village, at a kindy that is operated by Rosie Holidays and our Ahura Resorts division on the island of Malolo.
“Here 12 Fijian children ages 4 to 5 years graduated, and next year they will be attending Year One in Solevu Village, 4 km walking distance away.
These children speak English beautifully and this kindy is their launching pad into a bright future for these young future leaders. “As we look beyond spreadsheets, and strategic plans- we see the hundreds of lives that are enriched because of the work we do.
“That tourism is a powerful force for good that can improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of every Fijian.
“And to be able to visit the Koroipita township outside of Lautoka, where we operate an Early Learning Centre and Library for 300 students in this community with our partners Expedia, and see 12 work stations with Wi-Fi, and over 2,600 books, providing an inspring space for children to fall in love with reading, completing homework and after school tutoring.”
Rosie Travel Group is the first tour company in Fiji to launch a fleet of electric vehicles and electric coaches, 100% powered by the Fijian sun.
“I am really proud of the work that my team at Rosie Holidays are doing with Eroni Puamau (Group General Manager) and to see our journey with sustainability,” Mr Whitton added.
“We are the first tour company in Fiji, that have electric vehicles and now electric coaches that are charged by connecting to solar panels, with zero carbon emission, 100% powered by the Fijian sun.
“And then there is the work of our own Ahura Resorts Conservation Foundation, a registered Trust that leads our sustainability and community projects in the Mamanucas with the creation of marine protected areas, supporting the planting of over 30,000 dry forest trees, 500 reef stars coral restoration systems and the preservation of endemic Fiji crested iguanas.
“These are ideas worth spreading, as we see right before our own eyes the impact that tourism is having to be able to help every single Fijian.
“And of course, the work that we are doing in the community – with the resource owners here in Denarau, and with the resource owners at Momi, to be able to get those small family units to invest in vehicles and to partner with us.
“So, tonight we shine a spotlight on the over 650 employees from Rosie Holidays, Malolo Island Resort, Likuliku Lagoon Resort and Ahura Resorts Conservation Foundation and the hundreds of other tourism businesses and resort operators that also partnered with us to improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of every Fijian across the country.”
Rosie Travel Group is the first tour company in Fiji to launch a fleet of electric vehicles and electric coaches, 100 per cent powered by the Fijian sun.
Right: Rosie Travel Group managing director Tony Whitton with students of Koroipita community at the Expedia Rosie Learning Centre.
Rosie Travel Group managing director Tony Whitton and Creative director and Co-owner, Brigid Whitton, with students of Navatalesau Brigid Kindergarten and guests during the graduation ceremony. Pictures: SUPPLIED
Ahura Resorts Conservation Foundation, a registered Trust that leads Rosie Travel Group’s sustainability and community projects in the Mamanucas with the creation of marine protected areas.
