The InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa’s new initiatives are expected bolster the resort’s commitments to sustainability.
Australian cricketer Alex Carey and his family recently participated in the new initiatives while visiting the resort.
“‘Incorporating eco-friendly activities into our holiday not only provided us with endless hours of fun with our kids, but it was also a great way to help give back to the environment whilst travelling,” Mr Carey said.
“The highlight of our holiday to Fiji was embarking on the Coral Reef Restoration Programme at InterContinental Fiji. The kids loved it. The resort’s Marine Biologist was really insightful and we got to marvel at the marine life whilst collecting coral fragments to give them a new home.”
Lachlan Walker, Area General – South Pacific, IHG, expressed the significance of providing greener stays for travellers.
“Post-COVID, we understand that guests are increasingly conscious of their environmental impact while travelling, and Australians form the majority of our guests,” he said.
“As a leading luxury resort in Fiji, we believe we are in a position to help drive the change in attitudes towards travelling sustainability through offering educational and first-hand experiences that our guests can participate in, which can also in-turn help to preserve the beautiful ecosystem of Natadola Beach.”
NEW SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES
Protecting The Coral Reefs
The coral propagation programme, in collaboration with Reef Safari, aims to rebuild reef structures by placing coral fragments on metal frames around the resort’s house reef, rejuvenating the reef and growing them over time.
Guided by the Resorts Marine Biologist Makalesi Nalasi, guests will begin by making “cookies”, a cement ball structure, followed by a boat ride to rescue coral fragments for planting, then taken to a dedicated site for transferring coral fragments and attaching them to the cookies.
The marine biologist would then place it in the water. Guests of all ages can participate in the immersive experience and contribute to the restoration of the marine ecosystem. InterContinental Fiji plans to plant 3000 coral fragments over the next 12 months.
Coral Reef Restoration Programme: Every Sunday from June 11, 9am, Reef Safari Dive Shop near Toba Bar & Grill. $99 per pax.
For guests who are keen to learn about the rich marine ecosystem at Natadola Bay, the resort’s restoration efforts and the impact of the work being done, they can join the twice-weekly presentations conducted by the resident Marine Biologist at Kama Lounge & Bar.
Coral Reef Protection Presentations: Every Monday and Friday, 4pm, Kama Lounge & Bar
Elevated Bliss At Spa InterContinental Herb Garden
During the Spa Herb Garden Tour, guests will get to sample infused tea and sesame honey bars.
Spa Herb Garden Tour: Every Tuesday and Thursday, 9am.
Indulge In Homegrown Honey
Guests will have the opportunity to obtain honey straight from the honeycomb. The home-grown raw honey is also used in Spa InterContinental’s Signature Natadola Bay Honey Retreat, where the journey begins with a luxurious sugar and honey scrub, then a yoghurt honey wrap followed by a facial.
To date, beekeeper Simione Neirube has set up six beehives in the Engineering gardens, each containing approximately 10,000 bees. Around ten litres of honey are harvested from all the hives every three months.
Breakfast at Navo Specialty-Dining: 7:00am – 10:30am daily, for adults only
Natadola Beach Clean-Up
Monthly beach clean-up days are to protect the environment and collect litter around Natadola Bay.
Natadola Beach Clean-Up: Enquire with Leisure Concierge team (located near the Family Pool), 8:00am – 7:30pm daily
Phasing Out Single-Use Plastic Bathroom Amenities in Guest Rooms
Since March 2023, InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa has phased out all single-use plastic bottles of bathroom amenities in guest rooms and public areas and replaced them with bulk amenities.
The amenities are supplied by the award-winning, locally owned and produced Pure Fiji.
Food Waste Management
The resort works with the farmers from Sanasana village to ensure that the leftover food is collected and repurposed as feed for the piggery owned by Tukai.
A Greener Stay
Launched in December 2022, ‘A Greener Stay’ provides IHG guests staying two nights or more with the option to opt-out of housekeeping services and, in return, receive 500 IHG ® One Rewards points per night.
To participate, guests simply have to hang a sign outside their door or inform the front desk.
Source: InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa
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