TOURISTS have attested to his great services and vast local knowledge. In fact many of them say they’ve learnt from Ryan Kafoa about the history of Fiji on his tours then they would in a year of travelling to Fiji.
Ryan has been in the tourism industry for more than 12 years. In fact his business is listed as one of the top-rated private tours on the TripAdvisor website.
Their private tours can take you to places other big companies don’t plus off the beaten track adventures.
“I try my best to give the tourists a memorable experience of our beautiful country and provide them a VIP treatment, that’s my secret,” the burly six-foot said with a smile.
The 30-year-old Rotuman, who has maternal links to Lomanikoro in Rewa, started his business, ToursByLocalsFiji, to cater to tourists who wanted a personal tour of their own after noticing this trend while working for big tour companies.
“A lot of the visitors wanted something private where there’s flexibility especially when they have kids and some couples want a private, unique tour. They want to enjoy themselves. My total satisfaction is when guests tell me, ‘Ryan, thank you for showing your country to me, I have felt right at home’. The biggest asset that we Fijians have is our hospitality, you can go anywhere in world for a holiday, but you will always come back to Fiji because of the people and their nature because that’s how we are.”
ToursByLocalFiji is a family-run private tour business. Ryan’s brothers and their father help out with the work. They organise everything from airport pick-ups, half day tours, full day tours, round the island seven-day tours, short layovers, shore excursions and more.
You can experience cooking lessons and demonstrations with Ryan’s own mum for a truly Fijian culinary experience or take a private garden tour, pick the ingredients for a special Fijian lunch and enjoy the company of some amazing Fijian people.
You can even combine those tours with the thermal mud pools, Gardens of the Sleeping Giant and zip line, tour the fresh fruit and vegetable markets in Nadi or Lautoka, listen while Ryan explains all the different ways Fijians use these to cook. Or maybe you want to see the kids in school or visit a local village, take a four-wheel-drive vehicle to the highlands, go swimming in a remote waterfall, Ryan can take you there. The business is founded on the concept of providing a unique experience for visitors to Fiji. Ryan is urging local businesses to partner with him during their private tours to showcase the real Fiji experience.
Be sure to check out Ryan’s ToursByLocalFiji on their Facebook Page, TripsAdvisor or email toursbylocalsfiji@gmail.com.
