Event opens in style

The ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards was celebrated in style last night. Winners of all 13 categories were announced at the 22nd ANZ FETA that was held at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa in Denarau, Nadi. ANZ Fiji Country Head Saud Minam made the announcement last night that ANZ would sponsor this prestigious event for one more year. Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FETA Bill Whiting said the finalists were selected by an independent judging panel made up of industry leaders. He said it was encouraging to see new entrants and previous winners among the strong list of finalists.

This year’s event attracted close to 200 entries. New entrants among the finalists include Barefoot Collection – Awakening Shark, Eco Trax, Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, Helipro Fiji, Malamala Beach Club, Wyndham Denarau Island and Vatuvara Private Island. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Tourism Benefitting ALL Fijians’, with the theme colour for the night being black and gold. Below are some of the comments made by the judges:

... the bar is being raised, which is good for the customers and Fiji ...heartening to see new companies enter into the awards. This is an indicator of the range of new and unique Fijian products and services to the tourism sector ...experience makes this place stand out, and of course puts Fiji on the map as a truly World class conservation environment Edited by Naisa Koroi