We welcome IHG’s Crowne Plaza announcement - Lockington

The recent announcement by InterContinental Hotels Group that they will be introducing the iconic Crowne Plaza brand into Fiji for the first time, is a significant event and one that we have no doubt will boost their current cluster of successful brands under their management.

That is the comment of the CEO of the Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Fantasha Lockington as she congratulates the IHG team, for making what can only be described as a symbolic first step this year in taking advantage of the positive trends currently boosting Fiji's increased popularity, as well as leading what they hope is a sign of things to come in terms of investing further in growing Fiji's list of prestigious hotel brands.

Lockington says there are a number of other significant indicators here that must be acknowledged and this includes the introduction of a luxury brand in a vibrant, still developing tourism hot spot like Nadi Bay.

She says this will lift the profile of the area and encourage even more tourism related businesses and supply lines to flourish, and it will provide a welcome boost to much needed room inventory, while providing more jobs and opportunities for SMEs and creative segments to set up as support networks.

Lockington says it is also really exciting to hear about larger conference facilities being introduced as part of the new offerings which will allow tourism traffic to flow in and around the Nadi Bay, Martintar and Namaka areas, all the way to the surrounding airport areas and further support much-needed economic activity to these areas that are already known for their entertainment, restaurant, shopping and dining options. She says any tourism activity that encourages the economic impacts of tourism to spread out into other areas and as a result lift other businesses along the way, is welcomed and should be applauded, and in this instance the fact that the owners - Wailoaloa Hotel Pte Ltd and all the other IHG hotel brands including the Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa - belong to the people of Fiji; and this should make us all prouder still.

IHG Hotels and Resorts had said that they are thrilled to announce the signing announcement that will see its flagship Crowne Plaza brand enter Fiji, in a major win for the group.

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa will open in late 2023 following the signing of an agreement with Wailoaloa Hotel Pte Ltd, that will see IHG’s foothold in Fiji grow to five hotels and round out its geographical presence on the island.

Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa will convert from its previous life as Pullman Nadi Bay this year to become a world-class representation of the Crowne Plaza brand, following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment and extension, led by prominent interior designer firm P49 DEESIGN, whose recent work includes the Kimpton Kitalay Samui in Thailand.

The existing 324 rooms will be refreshed, with the brand new two-bedroom family rooms and ocean facing king suites set to be the crowning jewel of the hotel. The resort will also include a new day spa that will feature 6 double treatment rooms.

Perfect for the meeting and events market, the hotel will also call home to a new 600 seat convention centre that will complement the hotel’s existing conferencing space.

The addition of Crowne Plaza will complement IHG’s other hotels on the island which include InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa, Holiday Inn Suva, Six Senses Fiji and the Grand Pacific Hotel, and will give the group a dominant presence in Nadi, the location of Fiji’s international airport and in itself, a key tourism destination.

Matt Tripolone, Managing Director Australasia and Pacific, IHG Hotels and Resorts Australasia and Pacific, says the group is overjoyed with this significant announcement, and particularly proud to be delivering a true lifestyle hotel offering to the island of Fiji.

Jay Singh, CEO of Wailoaloa Hotel Pte Ltd says they are excited to work with IHG to bring the Crowne Plaza brand to Fiji, and are passionate about creating a brand-new destination for travellers to Nadi, with a thriving food, beverage, spa, conferencing and lifestyle precinct along the special stretch of beachfront in Nadi.

Singh says they are proud to be contributing to the growth of the tourism industry in Fiji, providing visitors with a world-class experience that will further enhance Fiji's reputation as a premier tourist destination.