There’s a kind of magic in tourism that goes beyond palm trees and sunsets.
It’s in the people who greet you with a “Bula!” so genuine that it feels like coming home, even when you’re thousands of miles away.
These are the men and women who make Fiji’s tourism heartbeat strong, and for three decades, they’ve been waiting for the return of something that celebrates them in the most fitting way possible: the Hotel Staff Association Games.
After 30 long years, the games are finally making their return.
And for those of us in the industry, it’s not just an event, it’s a sound stage for good fun and laughter.
It’s a reminder that our people are, and have always been, the most valuable resource in tourism.
Because no technology, no infrastructure, and no marketing campaign can replicate the warmth, pride, and care of a Fijian hospitality worker, especially when they’re having fun and laughing.
I still remember how it used to be.
Each resort would rally around its team, cheering them on as if the entire business depended on it.
There was a certain prestige in winning, of course, but what really stood out was the sense of pride.
Whether it was volleyball, netball, rugby, the tug-of-war, or the Bilibili Races down the Sigatoka River, the energy was infectious.
Despite not winning, staff would return home with stories, laughter, and stronger bonds between departments.
These weren’t just games; they were lessons in teamwork, respect, and the shared joy of belonging to something larger than ourselves.
So much has changed in the 30 years since the last real competition.
Our industry has weathered coups, cyclones, pandemics, and the constant challenge of global competition.
Yet through it all, our workforce has remained resilient.
They’ve adapted, upskilled, and held the line, ensuring that the essence of Fijian hospitality never faltered.
Bringing the games back now feels perfectly timed.
It’s a way to celebrate their resilience, rekindle the camaraderie that defined our industry in its early years, and remind every worker, from the front desk to the dive shop, that each of their roles makes a significant contribution to the overall guest experience.
The return of the Fiji Hoteliers Tournament is especially symbolic.
When the tournament was last held in 1995, it drew hotel teams from across the islands to compete not just for trophies, but for pride – by region, brand, and even department.
Its full revival this year at Plantation Island Resort is expected to bring together over 2000 participants representing 37 properties.
The excitement is palpable; you can feel it in the way staff talk about it, the messages exchanged across resorts, and the friendly banter already heating up on social media.
The organisers have kept the spirit of the old tournaments alive but infused it with a modern touch – sustainability practices, inclusivity across genders and job levels, with a strong charitable focus.
The Inter-Hotel Tournament, held just before the Hoteliers event, drew 86 teams and raised funds for local causes like the Loloma Home and Care Centre and the Christian Pesamino Leukaemia Foundation.
It’s a wonderful reflection of how our industry continues to give back even as it competes, has fun and celebrates.
Because that’s the heart of it, really.
The games are not just about sport, they’re about community.
They remind us that the industry’s success depends on people working together.
Every smile at check-in, every perfectly made bed, every warm goodbye at departure – all come from a place of pride and connection.
When our workers feel seen and appreciated, that energy flows directly into their work.
Guests can sense it.
And when they do, they fall in love with Fiji in the same way we all have.
There’s also a deeper, more strategic value to events like this.
The tourism industry, like many others, is facing a global labour challenge.
More Fijians are being recruited overseas, lured by opportunities in cruise ships, hospitality or agricultural areas abroad.
It’s something we can’t stop but can certainly respond to by making our local workplaces more fulfilling and rewarding.
Recognition and engagement are key.
When workers feel valued, when they know that their employers invest in their well-being and celebrate their efforts, they’re far more likely to stay and grow their careers here at home.
That’s why these games matter so much.
They boost morale, they build loyalty, and they give staff a sense of belonging that transcends their job titles.
But most of all, the games provide us all with the opportunity to laugh, have fun, decompress and get our rhythm back.
In every team huddle and sideline cheer, there’s a reminder that they’re part of something meaningful.
These moments strengthen the fabric of our industry in ways no policy or training programme ever could.
We’ve also seen how these tournaments contribute to community life. Families turn out to watch.
Local vendors get involved. Charities benefit.
People need to be fed, provided water, transported, put into uniforms, sheltered, accommodated, celebrated, and entertained.
And in that process, tourism, so often seen as something that happens within resort boundaries, spills back into the villages, towns and small business enterprises that make things possible in the first place.
It’s a full-circle moment of giving and gratitude, something Fijians have always understood instinctively.
As we prepare for the official whistle to herald the start of the games this week, I can’t help but feel a sense of pride, not just as someone who represents the industry, but as someone who believes deeply in its people.
Every time I hop onto an island ferry, visit a resort or be part of a tour, I’m reminded that the real luxury of Fiji isn’t its beaches or its five-star dining.
It’s the way our workers make guests feel like family.
The way they anticipate needs without being asked.
The way they laugh easily, work give generously, and take pride in doing things the right way.
A few weeks ago, I insisted that 17 visiting members of my extended family from Australia who had not been back to Fiji for over 30 years see the parts of Fiji I know so well.
Then they all were captivated by a sense of belonging and pride they had never experienced before, and will probably never experience in the land they now call home.
That’s our spirit, our edge, our brand, and our future.
So, to our industry partners, suppliers, and sponsors, I urge you to get behind the return of the Hotel Staff Association Games.
Whether through sponsorship, prizes, logistics, or simple moral support, your contribution matters.
Because when we lift our workers, we lift the entire industry.
They are our lifeline, our storytellers, our ambassadors.
When they laugh with sheer happiness, Fiji shines.
As the saying goes, happy workers make happy guests.
And happy guests come back. So yes, 30 years is a long time, but some things are worth the wait.
The laughter, the colour, the friendly rivalry, it’s all coming back.
And with it, a renewed sense of purpose for everyone who makes this industry what it is.
Vinaka vakalevu to everyone taking part, supporting a team, and every organiser who’s helping bring the games back to life.
This one’s for you!
FANTASHA LOCKINGTON is the chief executive officer of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association. The views expressed are not necessarily those of The Fiji Times. To share a comment or thoughts on the article, please send an email to info@fhta.com.fj
