02 July 2008

Incentives beat conferences in Fiji

The potential for meetings and conference business has undoubtedly inspired the development of many new international hotel and events facilities in recent years, however new figures for 2008 reveal that incentive holidays have been the flavour of the first six months with enquiries and bookings on the rise for the Fiji Islands.  

Director of Conferences and Incentives for the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Natalie Brumniach says Fiji is now attracting more incentives than conferences from the Australian market.

ââ¬ÅâœThe Australian market has been spurred on by the fact that our dollar is so strong at the moment, and the corporate market is certainly taking advantage of the fact,ââ¬~ says Ms Brumniach.

ââ¬ÅâœAt the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa weââ¬â¢ve noticed a steady increase in both general enquiries and actual bookings from companies that have traditionally stayed local and sought out domestic incentive destinations like Queensland.

ââ¬ÅâœPeople in Australia and the Asia Pacific are definitely looking beyond. Short haul overseas destinations like Fiji are proving immensely popular and are an ideal stopover point, particularly for those dipping their toe in the international incentive and conference arena for the very first time.ââ¬~

Since Sofitel Fiji Resort launched in late 2006 as the first new international resort in almost two decades, a new benchmark in sophistication and service standards has been set paving the way places like Denarau Island to send out a new luxury message and attract new, more discerning travellers.

Regional Manager for Accor Hotels and Resorts in Fiji, Paul Archer, says strong demand from both the corporate and leisure market has made it possible for the Accor network to expand its profile in Fiji in a short space of time with four hotels stretching the economy to luxury bracket: Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa, Novotel Nadi (previously Mocambo), Mercure Hotel Nadi and most recently the Tradewinds Hotel & Conference Centre.

Mr Archer says, ââ¬ÅâœFijiââ¬â¢s domestic business has been strong enough to warrant the addition of a dedicated Sales Manager for Accor Hotels within the Fiji Islands and servicing the local MICE market. Our overall Fiji network is strengthened by this domestic support which in turn supports and supplements  interest from our international markets

ââ¬ÅâœThe increased capacity Fiji now enjoys as a result of new hotel developments since the Sofitel launched, particularly on Denarau Island, has indeed helped secure the larger-scale conference business the destination needed, however Accor has also benefited by recognising the diversity of appeal that Fiji has in terms of its markets, and complementing the luxurious upscale offering of the Sofitel with several economy hotel venue options to ensure variety for clients working to various budgets and expectations. This approach has been a winning combination for us.ââ¬~

For more information contact Natalie Brumniach Director Conference & Incentive, Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa on Tel +61 7 5437 8195 Mob +61 409 997 671 or email at natalie.brumniach@sofitelfiji.com. Visit www.sofitelfiji.com.fj.

A Report by The Mole

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