Outrigger Resorts to boost business for 2017
More thriving business is expected at the two local Outrigger Resorts properties come 2017. This was highlighted by the vice president Sales and Marketing Outrigger Resorts Asia Pacific Mark Simmons. Mr Simmons was speaking at the Corporate Christmas cocktail at the Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort on Coral Coast Saturday night.
“Big year for us next year, Outrigger Resort globally turns 70 years old,” he said. The Outrigger Enterprise Group started their business 70 years ago in Hawaii, obviously have grown and Fiji has been a very important part of it. “This week we’ve had our heads of sales and marketing from Australian offices, Sydney, Brisbane and Gold Coast and Asia Pacific to do a two day strategy session,” he said. The session was on plans to develop further business. “We looking into maps in Fiji and are working on it and we are very positive in moving to next year,” Mr Simmons said. “We’ve launched a number of new programmes that will help business to come in to Fiji.” Mr Simmons said they have recently become a member of Global Hotel Alliance in their loyalty programme division. “They have eight million members with collective programmes,” he added.
“We are the first property in that programme in Fiji, so it’s pretty prestigious in that space and we’ve launched experience which covers all our destinations. ““Outrigger Resorts is very committed to Fiji. Our teams here and teams around the world where we operate are all pushing to bring business to Fiji.” “We need to make business here with our property but also with the community. It goes hand in hand and we are very syncing with that.” General manager Peter Hopgood said: “What a year it has been! “In the beginning we were challenged by the devastation and destruction of Cyclone Winston and the impact it had on our tourism industry.” Mr Hopgood said it is pleasing to note that whilst there was a slight impact in the months after the cyclone, the tourism industry has steadied in the latter part of the year. “As most of you are aware we do things a little bit differently here at Outrigger,” he said. “This is a momentous weekend for the resort. “We are able to support our community due to the hard work and generosity of our staff but more importantly our guests that come to stay with us at the resort. “As you have most probably gathered, I’m extremely proud of my team at Outrigger. “They are our number one asset.”