More than 600 new jobs and hundreds of millions of dollars in luxury tourism investments are headed to Fiji following the official launch of the Yavu Collective.
Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Nadi yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Viliame Gavoka revealed a pipeline of mega-projects set to reshape the local hospitality sector.
The initiative is supported by insurance provider BSP Life, national carrier Fiji Airways, and a global alliance with Accor. He said this highlights a pipeline of upcoming tourism developments, namely the opening of the Sebel Nuku-Loaloa and Tribe Na Tomba later this year, alongside the highly anticipated luxury resort, Sofitel Vatu Talei.
Yavu Collective is also opening a commercial laundry facility and the construction of The Yavu Collective Academy to train more than 200 hospitality professionals annually. He said by early next year, it was expected to become Fiji’s largest hotel operator. “The Sebel Nuku-Loaloa will welcome its first guests later this year, creating more than 80 jobs for Fijians. This $70million investment will deliver 76 accommodation keys,” Mr Gavoka said.
He said Fiji’s first true lifestyle resort, Tribe Na Tomba, will feature 118 guest rooms and conference facilities for up to 200 delegates. The $74m development opens in the fourth quarter of this year and creates more than 110 new jobs.
He added Sofitel Vatu Talei is designed to bring together the sophistication of Singapore and Dubai while keeping Fiji’s warmth. “It will feature 176 luxury guest rooms, four swimming pools spanning more than 5000 square metres, four water slides reaching up to 19 metres, Fiji’s first lazy river, Fiji’s first rooftop beach club with a 50-metre infinity pool, three dining concepts, a luxury spa, Fiji’s first dedicated facial bar, a Gold Class cinema, an adults-only retreat called Elysian, and a private vessel offering curated day-cruise experiences.”
Mr Gavoka said the development would create more than 400 new jobs and draw a generation of luxury travellers. The Yavu Collective Academy will train more than 200 young people annually.
