Wyndham’s confidence in Fiji growing
Compiled by RACHNA LAL
Welcome to Hard Talk, where we pose questions to both top executives and budding entrepreneurs on some of the major issues involving business.
Our tourism industry is booming and there are no two ways about this.
This is not only being indicated through the visitor arrival figures, but also the confidence demonstrated by property owners through investments.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s multi-million-dollar phase III refurbishment and expansion project at Wyndham Resort Denarau Island is just one example of this.
Over FJ$50 million has been invested by the resort in the past two years in developments at the resort including the phase III refurbishment and expansion project.
But Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific has indicated it will keep its doors open to further developments in the future depending on the demand.
Currently, accommodation at Wyndham Resorts Denarau Island is mostly exclusive to WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham vacation owners and their guests.
But there are plans to have some rooms open for the general public.
This phase III project underway since late 2011, will be unveiled on October 21 by the Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama.
The extensive 22-month long expansion project is one of the biggest tourism developments to be undertaken in Fiji in recent years.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific chief executive and managing director, Barry Robinson, said it is also the largest development ever to be carried out by Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific’s property development team.
Not only has this project injected over $50 million into our economy, but the extensive project has further provided substantial employment boost.
Mr Robinson revealed that to date, over 1.14 million man-hours have gone into the project over approximately 22 months.
“In excess of 250 local workers and subcontractors have been employed during the expansion works in a variety of roles since September 2011,” he said.
“Also, an extra 40 full-time resort positions have been created as a result of the expansion.”
Questions for Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific chief executive and managing director, Barry Robinson:
1. Is this the final stage of development for Wyndham?
The Stage III development is the final stage of works and the realisation of the original development proposal, which was first implemented in 2000.
We will be keeping the door open to further developments in the future if demand continues to grow, as it has done in the past.
2. I understand accommodation at Wyndham Resort Denarau Island is available for Vacation Club Owners only. Will people not members of the WorldMark South Pacific Club be allowed to stay?
Accommodation at Wyndham Resorts Denarau Island is mostly exclusive to WorldMark South Pacific Club by Wyndham vacation owners and their guests.
However, not all of the rooms will be going into the vacation club straight away. There will be some rooms open to the general public, because we want people to be able to experience what vacation ownership is all about.
Karma Beach Fiji, our new beachfront restaurant, café and bar and Mamacita Mexican Bar and Restaurant are also open to the general public.
3. Why did you decide to go ahead with this Stage III development?
There are over 46,000 Owners in the WorldMark South Pacific Club and Wyndham Resort Denarau Island is a firm favourite among Club Owners and their guests. It was one of the first resorts we acquired for the Club in 2000 and it has been running at very high occupancies ever since.
In the past three years it has consistently remained at over 90 per cent occupancy. We have found that owners stay on average around six days in Fiji choosing longer length stays over shorter stays. The demand is so high; we actually have a waiting list of vacation owners who are trying to stay at the resort.
The vision has always been to enhance the holiday experiences of WorldMark South Pacific Club owners and resort guests and provide more opportunity for owners to holiday in Fiji.
4. How is occupancy for Wyndham Resort Denarau Island at the moment?
Even throughout this extensive redevelopment, occupancy has remained over 90 per cent.
Exceptional holiday experiences for vacation owners and guests have remained paramount.
The resort team has worked very hard to ensure any possible disturbance to vacation owners and guests has been kept to an absolute minimum.
5. How would visitors benefit from the newest addition?
The project includes the construction of 63 new apartments, which will deliver a whole new level of accommodation to vacation owners and resort guests. In addition to 138 existing apartments, Wyndham Resort Denarau Island will soon feature one and two-bedroom deluxe apartments, spacious three-bedroom Grand Suites and well-appointed three and four-bedroom oceanfront Presidential Suites, which boast private plunge pools and entertainment decks.
Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific and Karma Royal Group’s subsidiary, Beach Clubs International, recently announced the opening of Karma Beach Fiji, a restaurant, bar and beach club, positioned absolute beachfront at Wyndham Resort Denarau Island.
Beach Clubs International is renowned for its beachfront bars and restaurants set in breathtaking locations around the world.
All three bars at Wyndham Resort Denarau Island now feature the Karma Beach cocktails, food and beverage offerings and music.
Phase III has also included upgrades to the resort’s main oceanfront swimming pool, a new reception area, boardwalks and the opening of Mamacita Mexican Bar and Restaurant.
Quicks facts about Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific
- Part of the Wyndham Worldwide group of companies.
- Region’s largest vacation ownership business with a network
- 24 resorts across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and more than 46,000 Owners in the WorldMark South Pacific Club
- Broad range of accommodation options for WorldMark owners and guests in a joint partnership with Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific
NOTE
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Barry Robinson