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Fiji Hotel Chain Provides an Alternative
to Packaged Tourism
by: Elain Barrett-Power
The owners of Fiji's largest budget accommodation chain have decided
to counter the burgeoning bus and package tour trade by refocusing on
the independent traveler.
With more and more visitors being booked onto pre-arranged itineraries
straight off the plane in Nadi, Cathay Hotels (Fiji) Limited
has made a conscious choice to do things a lot differently. They're
betting on the market niche of those who prefer to make their own decisions
about where to go and what to do.
Guests at their flagship property, Tubakula Beach Bungalows
on the Coral Coast, an hour south of the international airport, have
cooking facilities built into their units, relieving them of the need
to purchase pricy resort meals. In keeping with the laid-back atmosphere,
there are no TVs, telephones, or mini-bars in the rooms, although these
are readily available in the main building, where there's also an inexpensive
restaurant serving tasty local-style food.
The lagoon in front of Tubakula has been identified as a suitable nursery
site for corals, and re-planting has begun. According to Cathay Hotels
(Fiji) general manager Elain Barrett-Power, "Tubakula Beach Bungalows
has long had a policy of minimal interference with the natural marine
and coastal environment and does not offer tourist-oriented watersports
in the lagoon; this means that the corals will be able to re-generate
undisturbed."
At the Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel, north of Nadi Airport, the 12
one-bedroom apartments have been fully renovated with new beds and modern
kitchens. This quiet property will appeal to mature travelers or couples
and families in search of a peaceful retreat. As at Tubakula, starting
prices are in the US$50 range, and there's a 10 percent discount on
stays of a week or more.
Close to Saweni, the Cathay Hotel in Fiji's second city Lautoka is
a good alternative to the tourist ghettos of nearby Nadi. Lautoka's
bustling market is wonderfully picturesque, and there are countless
eating and drinking options around town. Rugby players from all over
Fiji come to compete at Churchill Park behind the hotel, and to prepare
themselves for careers in international sports. Hotel guests can watch
the action from the hotel's lounge bar, and maybe meet a few of the
future superstars, many of whom will be staying at the hotel. Rooms
at the Cathay are budget priced.
In Fiji's capital, Suva, Cathay Hotels (Fiji) operates the venerable
South Seas Private Hotel near Albert Park. The floors of this backpacker
institution have recently been sanded and polished to reveal the original
Oregon pine timber flooring imported in the 1930s. Colorful canvas awnings
are being fitted across the front of the building to provide additional
shade and add ambience of this historic property. According to Barrett-Power,
"South Seas has long catered to independent travellers looking
for the 'real' South Pacific, and we continue to resist the trend towards
the package and coach tour circuit." As usual, South Seas guests
have access to full cooking facilities, and the gamut of accommodations
ranges from low budget dorms to simple but spotless rooms with fan.
About The Author - Cathay Hotels (Fiji) is a locally-owned
company which operates the Cathay Hotel, Saweni Beach Apartment Hotel,
Tubakula Beach Bungalows, Travel Inn, and South Seas Private Hotel.
Their rates are non-commissionable and sold direct to the travelling
public. They offer you clean, comfortable, and unpretentious accommodation,
friendly staff, terrific locations, and excellent value-for-money rates.
Visitors preferring more upmarket or full-service hotels will not find
their properties suitable. Detailed information on all properties, including
discounts and special offers, is available on their website http://www.fiji4less.com
and in Moon Handbooks Fiji http://www.southpacific.org/fiji.html
cathay@connect.com.fj
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