FETA felicitates 2022’s big winners of tourism in Fiji

The ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards announced 2022’s winners on Wednesday, January 25^th. For the first time, the tourism event received the maximum ever submissions since its inception in 1991. The event was hosted at Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa and the winners and nominated attendees celebrated a year full of achievement and unstinted efforts to grow tourism in Fiji.

The Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa took home two awards, one felicitating Rafaele Delai as FETA’s Cultural Tourism Champion, while the award for Employee Excellence in Service was picked up by his workmate Irfaan Ali. Raffe Hotels and Resorts received the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Award for Training and Development in 2022, marking their consistent dedication to improving holidaymakers’ experience with better customer support and training.

The pocket-friendly South Sea Island Resort was recognised as 2022’s best in the Accommodation Budget category, while Radisson Blu Resort Fiji was feted with the award for Accommodation Deluxe. In the Accommodation Superior category, the Malolo Island Resort took home the prize, acknowledging its luxe bures and villas.

The lush and luxe Vatuvara Private Islands Resort was another contender who bagged two awards, one for the Accommodation Luxury category and for FETA’s Environmental Sustainability Award for 2022. The resort’s Vatuvara Foundation works with the neighbouring communities to advocate innovative local solutions to problems and protect the delicate marine ecology of the Northern Lau group of islands. 

Roger Dold & Chris Jacobs, of whose brainchild was South Sea Cruises, took home FETA’s Visionary Award for 2022. Additionally, the South Seas Cruises Group took home the Tourism Industry Support award for their work supporting the community and the industry.

Damend Gounder, the Chair of Fiji Development Bank board and Tour Managers (Fiji) Ltd, was felicitated with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Cynthia Rasch, the CEO of Fiji’s Port Denarau Marina, won the Dixon Seeto Tourism Leader award. Shakil Zoro Bhamji of the Coffee Hub was awarded FETA 2023’s Rising Star, while Vuda Marina Fiji was recognised for its work with an award in Community CSR.

Vou Hub Fiji won the award for Specialised Tour Services, while Totoka Hair and Makeup took home the prestigious title of Wedding Operator of the Year. The FETA jury also awarded Whitetip Marine Adventures as best Dive Operator of 2022. Rosie Holidays received recognition for being the most prolific Conference & Incentives Operator of the Year. The relaunched Tewaka Fiji was felicitated for their past work and took home FETA’s Inbound and Transport Operations award.

The 5-star boutique luxury Nanuku Resort Fiji won accolades for their restaurant and its menu, winning the Excellence in Food Tourism Award. You can read more about the resort in our blog ‘Nanuku Resort Fiji: Top-shelf luxury meets natural beauty’! Then, Vomo Island Fiji was spotlighted for its push on promoting Fiji and the Bula Bubble campaigns during the COVID lockdowns with FETA’s Destination Marketing Award. And lastly, the eco-luxe Six Senses Fiji took home the title of ‘Spa Operator of the Year’ for its world-class spa. Set in a luxe jungle setting, it’s truly an experience no one would forget in a hurry.

We’ll keep the list updated, but feel free to check out our other travel blogs and top holiday deals for Fiji!