PREPARATIONS are on schedule for the hosting of Tourism Fiji's premier calendar event — the AON Excellence in Tourism Awards at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Nadi on February 22.
According to the chairman of the board of trustees at the national tourism centre, Gerald Barrack, this year's awards ceremony will be something to look forward to.
"Thanks to an outstanding effort by our organising committee led by David Gillespie and assisted by Amanda Soffield, the 2012 AON Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards is shaping up to be an amazing event," Mr Barrack said.
"As always, hosting such an awards night would not be possible without our platinum sponsor AON Risk who has contributed $25,000 this year, gold sponsor Air Pacific that has given us $18,000 and two return business class tickets to any destination service by the carrier and silver sponsors Airports Fiji Limited, ANZ Bank and Crest Chicken.
"We would also like to acknowledge bronze sponsors — Blue Lagoon Cruises, FIJI Water, Five Star, Foods Fiji Limited, Pure Fiji and Tappoo," he said at a press conference in Nadi yesterday where nominees for the award categories were announced.
If the number of nominations is a reflection of outstanding commitment to customer service delivery, the Rosie Group leads the table with nominations in five separate categories.
For the first time ever, an individual has been nominated for the marketing award with the listing of Castaway Island Resort celebrity chef Lance Seeto up against Rosie Holidays, Pure Fiji and South Sea Cruises. Tickets for the event go on sale from Thursday and interested parties are urged to contact Tourism Fiji to book seats at Fiji's tourism calendar event.