Resort Reduces Prices By 50 %
Dua Dua Beach Resort has reduced accommodation prices by 50 per cent, in a bid to lure the local tourism market.
The Volivoli area resort in Rakiraki has also reduced the cost of meals by as much as 25 per cent.
Manager Savita Gounden said the resort had a 30 per cent occupancy rate.
“We have reduced our room rates, so that we can get guests to support our staff during this time.”
The resort’s is open to anyone who wants to enjoy fresh sea breeze and panoramic views, she said.
A weekend for two in deluxe style at the resort costs $240.
The $240 covers accommodation, breakfast, Wifi, ironing facilities, microwave, hair dryer, telephone, flat screen TV, and coffee and tea in the room.
“We also started doing takeaways to encourage people coming into our resort, so that our staff are employed,” she said.
Dua Dua Beach Resort offers beachfront villas.
“We also built another self-contained accommodation which can sleep up to eight people, and another one which can sleep up to four people, with a full cooking facility, including a barbecue cooking facility.”
The swimming pool remains a restricted area until COVID-19 regulations state otherwise.
Dua Dua Beach Resort opened for business in Nowvember, 2018, with five villas. At the time, the resort accommodated 24 people.
The resort has since purchased boats to take guests for snorkeling and diving.
“We also built a sauna and massage facility and a sunken bar,” Mrs Gounden said from Auckland, New Zealand.
Today
The resort has expanded to cater for a maximum of 36 guests.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Dua Dua Beach Resort commenced construction of two villas, amid plans to build a centralised facility with souvenir shop, reception area, office and conference centre.
Construction work continues amid coronavirus-related constraints, Mrs
Gounden said.
“We are trying our best to keep as many people employed by refurbishing all our villas and our restaurant facilities.”
The resort employs 40 workers.
Never waste a crisis
When Lautoka was declared a confinement zone in recent months, Dua Dua Beach Resort rose to the occasion to offer free accommodation for stranded travelers who were without money. “People could not go home when they got off planes, saying they did not have any place to stay.
“We decided to give free accommodation with free breakfast to anybody in need.”
As a result, three families stayed at the resort for 18 days.
Mrs Gounden said personal funds from directors of the resort had sustained the resort under critical economic times.
“At the moment, we can’t imagine what the new normal will be.”