NESTLED among the lush tropical grounds on Natadola Bay is a five-star luxury resort that offers tourists and visitors a unique experience of Fijian hospitality at its best.
Dubbed “The People’s Resort” simply because of its ownership by the nation’s only superannuation fund — the Fiji National Provident Fund — InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has come a long way since its opening in 2009.
With the FNPF conducting its annual member forums in the Northern, Western and Central divisions, tourism investments would be one area of discussion considering a number of undertakings by the fund to expand its investment portfolio to the tourism sector among other interests.
This week, we will highlight one of those significant investments by the fund to ensure the sustainability of members’ savings.
Resort features
Located 45 minutes from Nadi International Airport and tucked away on 35 acres of land, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa offers 271 appointed spacious rooms and contemporary suites with its design inspired by the traditional Fijian outer island village.
Resort general manager Scott Williams said the resort featured six restaurants and bars, a serene spa, an 18-hole championship golf course, four swimming pools, kids club, wedding chapel and conference facilities, and a range of activities for guests of all ages.
“Signature to the resort and available in every room are the Cleopatra style bath tubs for two and the day beds, which are located on your private balcony or terrace,” he told this newspaper.
“InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa is the only five-star luxury resort on Natadola Bay and defines all that an exclusive luxury retreat should be.
“Club InterContinental, set high on the hill with sweeping panoramic views of Natadola Bay, is a celebration of style where seasoned travellers are treated to an elevated standard of hospitality through luxurious accommodations and personalised services. Ensuring that every stay is an enriching experience, Club InterContinental offers exclusive privileges and innovative brand facilities such as the private pool, club lounge and butler service.”
He said exclusivity and luxury were taken to another level with their secluded one and two-bedroom suites with all ground floor suites featuring private plunge pools.
Progress
Mr Williams said the resort had seen excellent growth in business year-on-year with 2013 closing just as strong.
He said the Australian market maintained its position as the resort’s strongest market with growth seen in New Zealand, North America and significant development in China, Korea and Japan markets.
“Social media plays an integral role in delivering the InterContinental Fiji experience, engaging with the past, present and future guests, and listening to their feedback.
“The resort received fantastic feedback from thousands of guests via channels such as TripAdvisor, Facebook, Twitter and most recently, Instagram.
“Affectionately known as ‘The People’s Resort’ due to its ownership by the Fijian people’s superannuation fund, the FNPF, the resort has a strong commitment to the environment and local community in which it operates, and has been working with the local community since opening in 2009.”
He said the resort employed more than 550 staff members, 98 per cent of which were local workers.
Mr Williams said the resort had pioneered a number of education and employment initiatives to provide employment opportunities within the local community and strengthen their existing workforce.
Projects
Some of those initiatives include an insight and leadership academy or the IHG Fiji national training program.
He said this was a partnership between the resort, the Fiji National University and University of the South Pacific that offered a three-year apprenticeship program to graduates from those institutions.
“This is the first program of its kind in Fiji and is invaluable in assisting graduates with work placements as interns and apprentices,” Mr Williams said.
“Another project is the Sanasana Village hospitality academy, which is an IHG community program that gives unskilled school leavers from nearby villages the opportunity to develop a career in the hospitality industry through training and employment.
“Upon successfully completing their traineeship, these participants become full-time workers. Currently 35 per cent of the resort’s workers are members of eight villages in the local Natadola Bay community.”
Benefit to FNPF members
Being The People’s Resort has its benefits and according to Mr Williams, this included profits from the resort remaining within Fiji.
He said those profits were reinvested in the welfare of the Fijian people through FNPF schemes.
“By supporting local businesses such as these, we are a country retain our money to be able to build better lives and secure our children’s future with better roads, hospitals, and public services, and more employment opportunities, rather than your money going offshore,” he said.
FNPF chief executive officer Aisake Taito said the resort had attracted a number of illustrious guests and continued to evolve its experience of Natadola Bay luxury.
Financially, he said, the resort was in a good cash flow position and was providing a good return to members.
* Next week: World class golfing experience
