Back in History: Forbes buys island

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The villas and swimming pools at Laucala Island has attracted celebrities from around the world. Picture: ESCAPE.COM.AU

American billionaire Malcolm Forbes expressed strong optimism about Fiji’s image as a tourist haven despite the shattering effects the coups of 1987 had on the industry.

This, according to an article published in The Fiji Times on March 10, 1988.

“The real purpose of my visit here is to draw attention to the fact that Fiji is a very stable country now,” he said in an interview by telephone from his island, Laucala, located Northeast of Taveuni.

“Any concern or fear that a visitor to the country might have is unfounded.”

He described Fiji as a “unique paradise” and said tourism was vital to all concerned.

The American tycoon arrived in the country on his Boeing 727 private jet, the Capitalist Tool, from Tahiti. He boarded the flight after his yacht, the Highlander, ran into bad weather caused by Cyclone Bola.

Forbes, an industrialist, was accompanied by his two sons, Robert and Christopher, as well as Christopher’s wife.

Forbes said he would be hosting a party on his island to boost Fiji’s tourist image.

Fiji’s former President, Ratu Sir Penaia Ganilau, and former Prime Minister Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara had accepted the invitation. So had former commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces and Minister for Home Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka.

“Five years from now, people will look back on last year and wonder why so few visitors arrived in the country.”

The billionaire described Fiji as the major undisclosed “Bali Hai” of the world and said the attitude and quality of welcome by the people was very different from what Americans were used to.

“When I first heard in May 14, I was astonished. I was also astonished by the way things were worked out here harmoniously unlike some places such as Tahiti.”

Forbes had also flown in newspaper columnists and magazine editors from the United States to attend the party. They included the editor of the Architectural Digest, Paige Wrese, newspaper columnist Liz Smith and the editor and publisher of Islands magazine Bill Casch.

Mr Forbes first visited the country in 1969 and bought Laucala Island for $1 million a year later.

“Since then, I’ve invested three to four times that amount into the island,” he said.