Residents of Navunikabi and other nearby villages celebrated the opening of the refurbished bures and dining hall at the Namosi Eco Retreat on Tuesday.
This was made possible with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport’s (MCTTT) Integrated Human Resource Development Programme Grant.
Namosi Eco Retreat owner Daniel Jason Sovatabua said “We are thankful for our partnership with MCTTT — they supported us at a time when it was ‘make or break’ for a lot of micro-businesses in Fiji.”
“We’ve managed to survive and rebuild, partly through this partnership, and with thanks to local visitors who continue to support us.”
Of the retreat’s 10 bures, nine required rebuilding.
COVID-19 lockdowns and containment zones in 2021 stopped access for visitors and maintenance staff, resulting in the retreat’s closure and the deterioration of its bures.
With the help of the MCTTT and the village, the retreat is now ready for the expected post COVID surge of tourists.
Minister Faiyaz Koya said “given our expected arrivals, we must find a way to bring them outside of Nadi and Sigatoka and Suva to spread the tourism dollar”.
The retreat, located near Navunikabi Village in Namosi, remains off the grid offering guests a true Fiji experience of getting back to nature, plus a “digital detox” away from phones, internet and electricity.
Guests can enjoy the many retreat activities, eat locally harvested crops and authentic Fijian meals, and sleep in the bures perched on the edge of the crystal-clear Wainikoroiluva (Luva) River.
