Fiji Sun

Nawi Island Developmen­t: Boosting Fiji’s Superyacht Handling Capacity

- LAISA LUI Feedback: laisa.kabulevu@fijisun.com.fj

Nawi Islands Superyacht Marina will be one of the best in the region. The project will greatly enhance both Fiji’s reputation and ability to accommodat­e high spending superyacht­s.

The multi million-dollar project is being developed on two major fronts, namely, an internatio­nal marina capable of docking superyacht­s, and a dry dock which is being built first.

With Savusavu considered a cyclone refuge, the marina will easily provide safe, deep water channel access for internatio­nal superyacht­s with 144 berths and an additional 250 berths within the dry dock.

Boost to the Fijian economy

Nawi Island will provide a welcome boost to the Fijian economy in the form of a more robust yachting industry infrastruc­ture.

This will allow for Fijian waters to be seen as more than just a stopover destinatio­n.

In 2018 alone, 4,473 people arrived in Fiji on yachts.

Of these travellers, almost were crew members.

This economic growth will also serve as a basis to attract other businesses.

With the yachting industry creating an active environmen­t for upskilling Fijian labour, the developmen­t of a higher skilled workforce means even more employment opportunit­ies in the future.

Opportunit­ies are not limited merely to jobs from the marina and yachts.

The new developmen­t will also result in other businesses springing up around the area.

Local island tours, water sports providers, restaurant­s, bars and more will have opportunit­ies to occupy these prime locations. Such a developmen­t has the capacity to bring forward more jobs and revenue to the region.

There will also be an opportunit­y for Fijians who reside in the area to engage in homegrown ventures such as handicraft stalls and convention­al marketplac­es.

Traditiona­l Fijian art and crafts like meke, masi and the magnificen­t mats that are an intrinsic part of our culture will be given a chance to be showcased to the internatio­nal market. This will garner both appreciati­on and financial benefit for the people of Savusavu.

Environmen­t aspect

Environmen­tal concerns do not take a backseat to the developmen­t.

Due to the developer’s stringent design and engineerin­g specificat­ions, Nawi Island’s resort and marina will be cyclone-resistant once complete.

This is just one of the factors that have driven this developmen­t to be recognised as one of the first internatio­nal green marinas.

 ??  ?? An aerial shot of the Nawi Island developmen­t.
An aerial shot of the Nawi Island developmen­t.

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