Rosie Tours is a name that has become synonymous with Fiji’s tourism industry.
According to an article published in The Fiji Times on Saturday, May 28, 1994, in two decades the company cemented a stellar local and international reputation.
Headquartered in Martintar, Nad, with bustling regional offices operating at the Nadi Airport and across the ocean in Sydney, the enterprise had employed a dedicated team of 100 staff members.
The business was run by owners Roy and Rosie Whitton and had successfully brought in about 7000 passengers to Fiji each year.
What started as a one-car operation grew into a fleet of eight buses, from 6-seaters to 44-seaters.
The buses transported tourists to Pacific Harbour, Suva, Sigatoka Valley, Emperor Gold Mines, Vuda Lookout and Lautoka.
Roy Whitton began his career in the 1960s as a reservations manager with Qantas Airlines.
His first venture in Fiji was in helping design and build the Dominion Hotel in 1969-70.
After that he and Rose began running tours with Sharma’s taxis around Nadi.
He saw the need for tourists to be entertained, so the couple started organising trips to the Nausori Highlands and Senawai. The company also ran Thrifty Rentals with 38 cars.
At the time the company was making plans to build a three-storey headquarters with a restaurant serving international dishes and a shopping complex.
Rose Whitton … working behind the scenes. Picture: FT FILE
