Tanoa Hotel Group Chairman, Yanktesh Permal Reddy,
Tanoa Hotel Group Area General Manager, Narend Kumar,
Invited Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bula Vinaka and a very good afternoon to you all.
It is my pleasure to join you all once again.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
About a year ago, we gathered under less than ideal circumstances. But we were hopeful, having gone months without a case of COVID-19 in our community.
Today, while we have cases, we remain hopeful. We remain hopeful because we now have a highly vaccinated population and an even higher vaccinated tourism industry.
And because of this, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now ready to welcome visitors back on 1 December 2021.
The pandemic, without exception has been uncompromising to the tourism industry stakeholders. But, I am delighted to share, we have gotten off the ground, and put into place all the necessary measures to ensure that visitors both international and local – have an ideal, unworried experience whilst in our country.
As an industry, we have shouldered the hardship of the pandemic – however, we have laboured on by working with each other, to come up with innovative ways to continue business.
I am confident because, I have the assurance of all of you present, that we will recover on a more equal footing.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
We successfully launched the “Love our Locals” Campaign in June last year – an important initiative to build consumer confidence and ignite economic activity through domestic tourism. As high-spirited individuals, our locals showed support to our tourism industry and our people, by making the campaign a success.
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank the Tanoa Group for being diligent ambassadors of the Campaign.
The reciprocation supported not just our hotels, but Fijians associated with the industry – such as tourism workers, farmers, handicraft sellers – and most importantly, keeping MSMEs open and running.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With less than a month from re-opening, we have now strengthened our approach to the health and safety of visitors and our communities, through the “Care Fiji Commitment (CFC).
The CFC meant, we’re progressing towards building on the Fijian Government’s efforts in restoring confidence and keeping visitors, our tourism workers safe at every turn of a traveller’s journey.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I acknowledge the Tanoa Hotel Group, for championing the CFC across all its properties.
Coming back to today’s event, I am extremely proud to see a 100 percent locally owned and managed company stage its second trade show, days before we open to the World.
You are a shining example that we have used this downtime to safeguard our industry and come back anew.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
What gives this occasion special significance is the new Signature dishes Tanoa will be introducing.
We know that competition will be fierce when our borders do open. And that means creating new experiences.
The culinary experience offered by the Tanoa Hotel Group has been popular amongst guests and the team is progressing towards maintaining this consistency across the group.
Today, through the launch of the signature dishes, we are encouraging the use of local produce to offer local and international cuisine to suit all taste.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
This is a great opportunity for buyers and sellers alike, to discover the latest developments in the industry, as we recover. I see many familiar faces from last year’s trade show, which shows the significance of strengthening networks between all stakeholders in the spirit of exploring new opportunities.
You will be presenting new ideas with potential customers, through refreshed perspective, stepping away from traditional networking events, into immersive experiences that excite customers.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your sales and marketing activities don’t have to cease with this trade show. We encourage you to progress and ensure you continue to deliver safe and quality services for the industry remains of highest priority as an annual fixture for the Tanoa Hotel Group.
With these few words, it gives me great pleasure in officially declaring the Tanoa Hotel Group’s 2nd Trade Show open. I wish you all a successful and rewarding time.
Vinaka Vakalevu.