Tourism award nominee plans expansion
By RACHNA LAL
Often in our focus on the tourism industry, amidst Denarau and Coral Coast properties, we tend to forget our adventure capital – Pacific Harbour.
Yet fact remains, it still remains a contributor and a critical part of our tourism industry.
The Uprising Beach Resort’s recent increase in occupancy as well as nomination in the AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards 2013 is a testimony of this.
General manager, James Pridgeon, highlighted the resort’s occupancy has increased by 15 per cent compared to the same period the past year.
“Visitor numbers to Fiji has seen a slight increase overall for the past year, however, at Uprising, we have noted significant growth from 2012- 2013 in our overall occupancy,” he said.
“The resort is performing great and we experienced some all-time record figures for the last quarter of 2013,” he said.
“We have seen great confidence in the tourism industry moving into 2014 and s0 we look forward to what the rest of the year will bring.”
Mr Pridgeon said they have full confidence in Tourism Fiji which is doing a great job in attracting new markets to Fiji.
“This is evident in the Middle East and European market growth for 2013,” he said.
“This can only lead to bigger arrival numbers for the upcoming season which we look forward to.”
Further expansion plans
No doubt with the increasing demand, the supply has to increase as well.
Mr Pridgeon revealed plans by Uprising to building another 24 rooms this year and an upgrade of their food and beverage facilities.
“This again is because of the confidence and high occupancies we have experienced in our private accommodation,” he said.
“We expect this to kick off during the second half of the year.
“With this new block of rooms, this will again provide our guests with a whole new range of accommodation options to choose from.”
Tourism award nomination
The success of this resort is apparent given the two nominations in the AON Fiji Excellence Tourism Awards 2013 to be held tomorrow night at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa.
Uprising Beach Resort has been nominated under the Accommodation Budget and Accommodation Quality categories.
Mr Pridgeon said being nominated was always a great feeling and had been possible through the hard work by the team.
He said they have received nominations in previous years for both categories and been successful.
“We have been previously nominated and have won an award four years in a row from 2008 to 2011,” he said.
“We won Best Budget Accommodation three years in a row, 2008-2010 and when our new Villas opened, we won Best Quality Accommodation in 2011.
“Unfortunately we did not participate in last awards however look forward to seeing what this year will bring.”
Importance of awards
Mr Pridgeon said these awards are very important for them and the team.
“It rewards us for the work put in over the last year and instils a sense of pride amongst our employees,” he said.
“We are still a growing business and to receive such awards provides us with a platform to better promote our small beachside resort to the tourist market as everyone likes a winner.
“Being a locally-owned and managed business, walking away with an award after going up against bigger and more prominent hotels is always a good feeling.”