Honourable Ministers;
The Board and Management of the Vision Group;
Representatives of Hilton Worldwide;
Distinguished Guests;
My Fellow Fijians.

Bula vinaka and a very good evening to you all.

I’m delighted to join you to celebrate an important day not only for our Tourism Industry but our country – the rebranding of this wonderful resort in Denarau, which, from Sunday, becomes the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa.

Many Fijians and hundreds of thousands of overseas guests already know this property as “the Hilton.” So to avoid any confusion, let me explain the significance of this occasion.

Strictly speaking, since it opened in July 2006, this has been the Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, managed by Hilton. When it opened its doors, the resort was not fully completed and so Hilton withheld full branding until the property reached the required standard.

The many thousands of people who have gone through here will have noticed that the front of the resort – facing the street – hasn’t been as grand as the other hotels on Denarau. And that’s because it’s still a work in progress.

Soon after it opened, nearly eight years ago, the overseas owners and developers struck financial difficulties and the property went into receivership in 2009 with significant debts. Two years later, in October 2011, the Fijian-owned Vision Group acquired 60 per cent of the resort and settled those overseas debts. It was a remarkable achievement for a local company.

The Vision Group – with the assistance of the Reserve Bank of Fiji and FRCA – was able to steer this valuable property out of difficulty. It saved the country significant foreign currency outflows and also showed Fiji and the world that a Fijian company is just as capable as a foreign company of satisfying overseas receivers and lenders. It significantly enhanced Fiji’s financial reputation in the international marketplace.

In March last year, the Vision Group acquired the remaining 40 per cent ownership– making the Fiji Beach Resort and Spa a 5-star resort fully owned by local private investors.

It has been a wonderful achievement and one that we hope will be repeated as time goes by. Because there is no reason why Fijians can’t make acquisitions of this sort to the highest international standards.

I want to pay tribute to the Vision Group for its enterprise and commitment. It deserves the highest praise for showing confidence in Fiji and boosting the Tourism Industry, on which we all depend.

The Vision Group’s commitment has persuaded Hilton Worldwide to give the resort full Hilton branding from this Sunday, 1 March 2015. It becomes the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa and the Vision Group is investing a further $28 million to complete the next stage of the resort.

This includes a new conference centre and function room; a new restaurant and pool complex; and new “back-of-house” facilities and production kitchen. Another 115 rooms are also being added to the existing 340 rooms and 164 villas.

With a further investment of $15 million planned in 2017, yet another development phase will add a new entrance, lobby, retail facilities, food and beverage outlets, and spa.

Hilton is not only a famous and trusted name around the world, but is also an integral part of Fijian tourism – joining the other great global brands – Sheraton, Shangri-La, Sofitel, Radisson, Intercontinental, Wyndham, Westin and, of course, the new Marriot at Momi Bay.

My Government regards all of these iconic brands as valued partners in Fijian tourism and important members of Team Fiji – the over-arching brand we are all taking to the world.

Vinaka vakalevu Hilton Worldwide. Vinaka vakalevu Vision Group. And vinaka vakalevu to all of the management and staff who have already made this wonderful resort a draw-card for travellers from around the world.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I now have much pleasure in launching the Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa and wishing it many years of success.

Vinaka vakalevu. Thank you.