Sonaisali’s Aaron McGrath gives his views along with some of the guests!

Aaron McGrath, the MD of family owned Sonaisali Island Resort in Fiji told The Mole last week that whilst occupancy at this time of the year would normally be in the 80%’s, the current occupancy was 62%, which while not great, considering all that had a happened was not too bad, especially when he considered that in the last coup occupancy went down to 12%!

Aaron was also delighted that the Australian travel advisory had been reduced, confident that this was a key factor in business bouncing back to Fiji, of course alongside the excellent deals in the market place.

He told The Mole that Sonaisali had a strong N Hemisphere market and this was borne out by the guys The Mole met staying at Sonaisali, which in particular included Brits.

You may recall that The Mole met British groom Chris the night before his wedding early last week, see, well The Mole bumped into Chris a week later, looking very relaxed and suntanned, but this time not only Chris, but also his bride, who told The Mole that they had an amazing time at Sonaisali and would definitely come back to Fiji.  They also said that they had seen nothing to give them any cause for concern, or for them to feel uncomfortable at any time and had been out of the Resort, visiting Nadi and other locations.  They also said that Fijians were the most welcoming and genuine people they had ever met.

The Mole also met Londoners, actor Jon Chevalier and Laura Kennedy, also first timers to Fiji, who had been out to the Yasawas and were spending a few days at Sonaisali before the long trip back to the UK.  As was the case with many Brits, they had visited Aus on the way and while they loved Aus, they thought that Fiji was incredible, with both John and Laura not wanting to go home!  They told The Mole that they were very comfortable all the time they had been in Fiji and would tell other Brits to get on down here!

Back to Aaron!   Aaron told The Mole that TAG was very focussed and determined to get the industry back to or even exceed previous levels, but that it was vital that the industry spoke with one voice and that the campaign with FVB was solid and concise.

The deals that were out before Christmas were kicking in now and he said that Fiji deserved a fair go and now that the Aus and NZ Travel Advisories had been reduced that it had a better chance of happening.

He said that the coup taking place when it did made it harder for the industry as it was going into low season, whereas previously the last coup took place at a time which allowed the recovery to take place into high season, therefore this time it might be a greater challenge, but he was also confident that it could be overcome.

Fiji was also suffering from increased inventory coming on line with all the challenges that presented.

Aaron told The Mole, that there were three tiers to the recovery campaign, with the first tier made up of heavy discounting to get profiles back up and combat the travel advisories, the second more based on added value and the third dealing with heading into high season and getting back to normal and of course normal rates.

Discussing FVB’s role, Aaron said that they had been excellent and had worked tirelessly to galvanise the industry, bringing partners from all corners and sectors of the industry to work together with one gaol.  He added that while it had been a difficult six months, it had also been exciting and dynamic with the industry working together and creating a reinvention of Fiji.

One of the great things that comes over about Sonaisali is that it is a family business owned by a family that has worked in hotels in Fiji and in Australia, all their lives.

Aaron himself came into the family business in 1995 having worked in the Middle East and there is no doubt that he has been instrumental in getting Sonaisali where it is today, amongst Fiji’s leading resorts.

Aaron told The Mole that the future for Sonaisali is rosy with new developments taking place, although they are on hold for 6 months to allow time more than anything else, to be allocated to the recovery programme.

The family’s commitment to Fiji is also demonstrated by their ownership of 60 acres in the Mananucas, which they intend doing something with in the not distant future!  This will also offer guests a great combination of an island and “main island” property.

With Aaron’s background in F&B, he was determined to ensure that The Mole left Fiji, with what Aaron described as the best meal in Fiji! 

While The Mole had eaten its way around Fiji, there was no alternative but to accept Aarons kind invitation to join him and his wife Tiffany in their signature restaurant, The Plantation, which Aaron very justifiably indeed, describes as ‘Fine Dining at its finest in Fiji’.

There is no doubt that he is right and the five course meal that we enjoyed was tremendous, with The Mole’s favourite dish being Whole Fresh Coconut, oven baked with scallops, prawns, lobster, fish and squid morsels in pernod cream – incredible!

The Plantation features lavish rugs tossed over polished wooden floors, white starched cloths on the candle lit tables, sepia prints of a Fiji’s history adorning the walls and lovingly polished silver decorating the ancient wood buffets.  The restaurant offers an extensive a la carte menu with canapés and sorbets with compliments from the Chef or dining decadence in the form of the 14-course ‘Degustation Menu’!

They also make the very best Traditional Caesar Salad, which right down to the dressing is prepared at your table.

For further information visit: www.sonaisali.com

A Special Fiji Report by The Mole