Rusiate Naulivou

Community development inspired career

Rusiate Naulivou’s interest in community development motivated him to study Tourism & Hospitality.

The 41-year-old Resort Manager for Uprising Beach Resort hails from the village of Namara in the district of Vuda and is married with four children.

Mr Naulivou before employment, has been concentrating on community driven based tourism.

“I had this drive that we need to train our people to utilise their natural resources in order to earn a living rather than relying on government handouts,” he said.

He said he graduated in 2001 with a Certificate in Hospitality Operations at the Fiji National University (FNU). In 2002, Mr Naulivou graduated with a Diploma in Hotel Management at FNU.

“In 2010, I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism & Hospitality from the University of the South Pacific,” he said.

Mr Naulivou said he was sponsored by Wayalailai Resort, where he did his attachment in 2002, during his certificate and diploma level programmes.

“It took me two years to complete both my Certificate and Diploma programmes. When I enrolled at USP, I was sponsored by the Fijian Affairs Board Scholarship Unit.

“It took me four and half years to complete my degree programme due to my commitment in developing our family-owned resort in Wayalailai Island in the Yasawas known as

Naqalia Lodge. I had invested most of my time which really dragged my years of studying.”

Career journey

Mr Naulivou was appointed as Training Consultant/Facilitator at the USP Pacific TAFE then moved to FNU Namaka Campus under NTPC being the Training Officer before joining Uprising Beach Resort in 2018.

“This is my third year at the Uprising Beach Resort, and I am in charge of the overall management.”

Mr Naulivou raised issues that COVID-19 had affected the resort business operations.

“This has a huge impact on our staff ’s leadership style, sourcing new markets for the resort,” he said.

Mr Naulivou said his plan was to start his own tourism consultancy business and have a serviced apartment business for his family.

Rusiate Naulivou during his graduation, with his mother (left) Asinate Ratu and his sister Sereti Naulivou.