Finalists for the 2022 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards will be acknowledged accordingly with gold, silver and bronze at next month’s gala dinner.
Describing the upcoming affair as exciting, FETA chair Debra Sadranu explained that it was just proper to award finalists in the 20 categories accordingly given the fact that they’ve all recovered from the wrath of the pandemic.
At a press conference in Nadi this week attended by major sponsors, Ms Sadranu also indicated that the judging committee members were very impressed with the quality and excellent standard of service from the various sectors of the local tourism industry.
“This year, we don’t just have winners. We also have gold, silver and bronze winners from majority of the categories,” she said.
“I think the industry in general was so excited about the extended categories, you know before a lot of the categories were absorbed under one, so now we’ve been able to give other industry stakeholders an added advantage that they have much more opportunity to be shortlisted under their categories.
“So our submissions we had up to 30 submissions in certain categories and that is by far the largest amount of submissions the awards has ever seen.”
Ms Sadranu explained the positive response indicated that the industry’s excitement because they’ve all so hard to resurrect and recover. She said everyone is just excited to take part in the biggest celebration ever for the local tourism sector.
The Finalists of the 2022 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (in no particular order)
- Dixon Seeto Tourism Leader: Rohit Chand – South Sea Cruises Robert Miller – Vatuvara Private Islands Cynthia Rasch – Port Denarau Marina
- Rising Star: Amos Daniel – Captain Cook Cruises Shakil Zoro Bhamji – The Coffee Hub
- Cultural Tourism Champion: Mosese Lesumaisuva – Radisson Blu Rafaele Delai – Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
- Employee Excellence in Service: Timoci Koroivuki – Shangri La Yanuca Island Irfaan Ali – Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
- Community CSR Ecotrax Fiji Bula Coffee Vuda Marina Fiji Environmental sustainability: Barefoot Manta Resort Vatuvara Private Islands Vatu-i-Ra Conservation Park Trust
- Accommodation Budget/Hostel: Vuda Marina Cottages Likuri Island Resort South Sea Island Accommodation Superior: Kaila Na Ua Resort Malolo Island Resort Barefoot Kuata Island Resort
- Accommodation Deluxe: Fiji Marriot Resort Momi Bay Radisson Blu Resort Fiji Castaway Island Resort
- Accommodation Luxury: Vomo Island Resort Vatuvara Private Islands Nanuku Resort Fiji
- Tourism Industry Support: Port Denarau Marina Fiji Hotel Tourism Association South Sea Cruises Group
- Inbound & Transport Operators: Rosie Holidays Tewaka Tour Managers n Excellence in Food Tourism: Nanuku Resort Fiji Fiji Marriot Resort Momi Bay Vatuvara Private Islands
- Specialised Tour Services: River Tubing Fiji Vou Hub South Sea Sailing
- Destination Marketing: Fiji Airways South Sea Cruises Group Vomo Island n Wedding Operator of the Year: Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort Totoka Hair
- Spa Operator of the Year: Intercontinental Fiji Beach Resort & Spa Six Senses Fiji Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort
- Dive Operator of the Year: Nai’a Cruises Whitetip Marine Adventure Ocean Ventures Fiji
- C&I Operator of the Year: Intercontinental Fiji Beach Resort & Spa Rosie Holidays
- Training and Development: Tanoa Hotel Group Raffe Hotels & Resorts Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa
