Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama has commended the Wyndham Group for supporting Government's initiative of Buy Fijian and Fijian Made.
While opening the 50 million dollar Phase 3 refurbishment and expansion project at Wyndham Resort in Denarau, Commodore Bainimarama expressed his appreciation to the Wyndham Group for its commitment to Fiji.
He said he is especially pleased about the way in which Wyndham has made a policy of forging local partnerships for much of the work carried out here which has strengthened the local business base and provided many more opportunities for employment beyond the resort.
Bainimarama said Wyndham chose a Fijian company Architects Pacific to design the Stage Three development and another Fijian company Pacific Building Solutions Bto build it.
He added Fijians were also used as consultants, subcontractors and suppliers and the labor came from the local community.
Speaking in a press conference in Denarau before the opening of the expansion, Tourism Minister, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said this is great news for Fiji.
Resorts General Manager Bob Speed said over 250 local workers and subcontractors were employed during the expansion works while an extra 40 full-time resort positions have been created as a result of the expansion.
Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum said a lot is happening in the hotel and tourism sector.
He said the government is also playing its part in developing the necessary infrastructure.
The Momi Resort development will also start next year.
Sayed-Khaiyum said preparations are also underway to host the PGA tournament at the Intercontinental Hotel in Natadola in August next year.
More than 400 million viewers are expected to watch the PGA tournament.
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Sofaia Koroitanoa
