The Prime Minister Rear Admiral (Retired) Voreqe Bainimarama, with staff of the Sheraton Resort and Spa Tokoriki Island on Saturday Photo: MINFO News
Litia Mathewsell
Tokoriki ISLAND
The opening of the Sheraton Resort and Spa Tokoriki Island on Saturday is amongst many aspirations, a part of the Starwood Hotels and Resort’s global expansion plan to reach a milestone of 500 properties by 2015.
The stunning property, refurbished from the former Amanuka Island Resort, is the latest addition to the Mamanuca group’s extensive accommodation options.
The resort was acquired by Ritam Investments Limited, which was approached by Starwood to establish its fourth property in Fiji.
‘’ Together we have worked tirelessly to deliver a product that will lift the standards of accommodation offerings in the islands and this opening demonstrates Starwood’s continued growth of its footprint in the Pacific Island group,’’ said Shane Cunning, Starwood’s Area general manager for Fiji and Samoa.
The professionalism of their staff at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas and The Westin Denarau Island Resort and Spa has been a central focus area for the Starwood Group, and training that Sheraton Tokoriki staff will also undertake.
‘’The 800 plus associates employed by our three properties go through different stages of training, with a few now holding key positions that now establish Starwood Fiji as the training ground for associates for the Pacific Island region,’’ Mr Cunning noted.
‘’Our associates have been receiving five star training with sister property Sheraton Fiji Resort and will be trained up to be very efficient and professional, delivering a five star Sheraton standard with that touch of Fijian hospitality,’’.
The resort, which officially opens on June 1, will include Sheraton’s signature Flying Fish restaurant amongst three dining venues.
‘’Sheraton Resort and Spa Tokoriki Island will also aid towards assisting our island neighbors with half of our associates being employed directly from the island and we envisage to increase this number over time,’’ Mr Cunning said.
Saturday’s soft opening by the Prime Minister, Rear Admiral (Retired) Voreqe Bainimarama, also presented a key opportunity for industry stakeholders to get practical exposure to the property ahead of the inaugural Fiji Tourism Convention this week.
This key industry congregation is being hosted at the newly opened Denarau Convention Centre at the Sheraton Fiji Resort, which Mr Cunning said was constructed to meet the increasing demand and numbers for conferencing facilities.
Feedback: litiam@fijisun.com.fj