Format for FETA awards change

This Saturday’s ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards (FETA) will see a change in format. The individual awards have been shifted to the end of the programme.

The FETA awards will be held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa on Denarau Island.

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will again be the chief guest.

The theme is ‘Tourism Benefitting All Fijians’. “We want to highlight how tourism is benefitting all parts of the economy,” said Organising Committee chairperson, Olivia Mavoa.

She said a large number of people were directly and indirectly involved in the industry.

“The Trustees Awards have been moved to the beginning of the evening’s event and the individual events at the end which is sort of climax,” she said.

There are eight trophies up for grabs in the individual awards.

The awardee for the Lifetime Achievement Award and Visionary Awards was still being worked on by the Trustees of FETA. “Last year we had three awards given away last year for the Achievement Award but I really don’t know how many there are this year.

“We have a good mix of finalists for the different categories.

“We expect the ballroom here at the Sofitel to be packed as we are expecting all 400 plus seats for the awards night to be sold out.

“There are a lot of industries that have booked their tables and more queries are coming through.”

She said the entertainment for the event is a surprise as guests will see firsthand this performance.

“Every year we work on something new to entertain the guests.”

Tickets are on sale for $200 and tables are for $2000 with Ms Mavoa adding that the price was the same for last year.