OUTRIGGER President & CEO Jeff Wagoner joined Steven Andrews (Castaway Island GM), Darren Shaw (OUTRIGGER Fiji Beach Resort GM) and a number of other OUTRIGGER executives at the Asia-Pacific Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE) Fiji Investment in Tourism Summit held July 3-4, 2024 on Denarau Island in Fiji.
On a panel session titled “The Essential Hotel Operators Outlook for 2024” Jeff shared his insights and optimism for Fiji with the more than 250 industry leaders in attendance – which included hotel operators, investors, government officials, resource owners and local stakeholders.
“Fiji is a truly amazing place,” he said. “Its natural beauty and the warmth of its people make it a favorite vacation destination, contributing to consistently high occupancy rates. Additionally, the country’s strategic location, close to both Hawai’i and Australia, enhances its appeal for OUTRIGGER.”
Jeff also engaged with AHICE Group President, James Wilkinson, during a Hotelier Q&A where he was able to outline OUTRIGGER’s sustainable tourism practices and commitment to the Fijian market.
“OUTRIGGER’s commitment to the Fijian community is unwavering, as evidenced by our initiatives in ocean conservation, coral planting and partnerships with local schools and non-profit organizations.”
The summit served as a platform to discuss key topics shaping Fiji’s tourism investment landscape, including the outlook for tourism and aviation, ease of doing business, F&B trends and pivotal developments in the hospitality sector.
Brent Hill, CEO of Tourism Fiji, acknowledged the summit’s success in catalyzing strategic discussions, saying, “This year’s summit was instrumental in fostering dialogue among key stakeholders, positioning Fiji as a premier destination for investment and growth. Fiji really is open for business in tourism and looking to dramatically expand our offerings.”
Kamal Chetty, CEO of Investment Fiji echoed the sentiments stating, “The AHICE Fiji Investment in Tourism Summit provided a crucial platform for networking and knowledge-sharing. We had a number of renowned hotel brands represented, as well as key stakeholders and industry leaders to explore areas shaping tourism investments in Fiji. Investment Fiji’s work starts now, turning these dreams into reality, as we need these projects to conceptualize as soon as possible to benefit our people. Our organization remains dedicated to assisting and facilitating the interests of investors who are willing to start their operations that will drive economic growth and sustainability within our vibrant tourism sector.”
