Simon Way, sales manager for Nova Pacifica Resorts says properties already in the portfolio – Iririki Island Resort and Spa, Vanuatu and Beachcomber Island, Fiji – are continuing to be refurbished, developed and have facilities and room inventory added.
He says both resorts are performing strongly. ‘We are definitely looking for more opportunities in the two destinations.’
Way says eight new king rooms with balcony spas, and eight twins on the ground floor of the same complex are being developed at Beachcomber. ‘They will be opening on 1 September and will give us a total of 60 rooms. We’ve got plans for more, so watch this space.’
A new pool opened last year with a pool bar added two weeks ago. The resort has a new restaurant and bar as well.
Beachcomber no longer has dorms available and targets mainly couples and families.
‘It’s going well, the numbers are good. Our main challenge is to change the perception so the market knows we are not a backpacker property. We’re having some success there – the message is getting through to the trade.’
Way, who was exhibiting at the Flight Centre Expo at Eventfinder Stadium on the North Shore, Auckland on Saturday, says Iririki in Port Vila is also performing strongly.
‘Vanuatu is off the chart, mainly because of much improved air capacity. I would say most of the resorts are going pretty well there.’
He says three new two-bedroom villas are selling now and will be available from 1 April. More significantly, 40 new king villas – all with plunge pools on their balconies and spa baths in the rooms – will be opening 1 October. He says they will be among the best rooms available in Vanuatu.
‘We no longer have a casino at Iririki and we have been using that space for conferences, but we are now converting it into an upmarket bistro-style Italian restaurant and we intend to have that open before the new villas – sometime around September.’
