Keeping up with the demands and staying at the top of their game is probably what has led to Tour Managers securing a spot as finalists for the 2015 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards.

This is the first time Tour Managers Fiji were nominated for the prestigious awards and have come out as finalists in the Destination Marketing category.

The nomination is based on marketing destination Fiji in an international market.

Noted as the biggest tourism awards in the country, the 2015 ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards will be held on February 19 at the Denarau Convention Centre.

Managing director, Damed Gounder, said: “Tour Managers is grateful for the recognition and opportunity provided by the awards committee. Tour Managers Fiji has grown at a rapid rate in the past few years.

“This was fuelled by exceptional leadership, innovative partnerships, solid and honest business relationships and sustained investment into hardware and software components of the company to ensure the delivery of service excellence to our clients.”

Investment plans

One of the main project plans the specialist destination management company is working on is its new airport office at the Nadi International Airport.

Mr Gounder has confirmed this saying investments on this project were worth up to $120,000.

Mr Goundar explained the office will be designed in such a way to promote modern Fijian designs and traditional wood features to arriving passengers.

He said: “Tour Managers have continued to emphasise the need to make traditions and our culture the foundational pillars of tourism promotion to clearly differentiate our destination from other island destinations.”

Mr Goundar has also confirmed an additional multi-million dollar capital investment works for 2016- 2017.

Though he could not reveal these plans at this time, he has confirmed it will be significant investment projects.

The company is also working on marketing activities and tools to align Tour Managers to meet the travellers’ needs specific to source market for this year.

Edited by: Rachna lal

Feedback:  stella.moresio@fijisun.com.fj

INTERVIEW –  Tour Managers , Managing Director Damend Gounder
What would you say about the importance of such awards?

The importance of such an award is nice recognition of what the company has done to contribute to improving the lives of ordinary Fijians all over Fiji. Though rewards and accolades are not the sole purpose of our business intent, they do provide complimentary motivation to employees in recognition of their hard work and motivates them to improve their service delivery to future guests.

How would you describe our tourism industry and the cruise tourism industry at present?

The tourism industry in Fiji has rapidly growth in the past few years with new initiatives created by the government and the private sector to stimulate interest for destination Fiji. The bold move in the rebranding of Tourism Fiji and Fiji Airways with the proactive and competitive organisation of packages between tourism industry partners and international travel trade, and the effective engagement by the Fijian government of foreign nations in promoting Fiji’s interests internationally, has definitely placed Fiji as a must visit destination. Although competing interests may tend to bog down some aspects of growth, there is still positive traction for further growth.

How would you describe things have evolved from how it was before and how it is now?

I’ve been in the industry for the past 25 years and there has been a steady growth in the industry in terms of understanding market needs, adjusting to external and internal shocks and creating innovative packaging and marketing to entice tourists to come to Fiji.  Fiji’s global target scope didn’t envelope such a diverse range of source markets as we now see.  Fiji has steadily revealed itself as an aspirational destination that offers experiential holidays which create lasting impressions for guests. Various initiatives have been undertaken and continue to drive the interest. Before Fiji’s entry into the Asian market such as China and India, the more mature markets of Australia and New Zealand had greater prominence but now with the focus on the global tourism travel market shifting to new direction/markets/products, and new experiences, the Asian market will ensure that Fiji is well placed to reap rewards in line with its destination capacity.

Tourism Fiji and the industry’s recognition and acceptance of the potential that exists in the Asian and other economic emerging nations has placed Fiji on a new wave of opportunities. Tour Managers has committed and engaged effectively to bring these to realization.

What are some of the things needed to stimulate the industry further?

Some points I can share from my perspective to stimulate the market further are:

-Better targeted research and information sharing through national association platforms to help drive the push for consolidated use of resources for effective penetration of markets. Solid partnership between Tourism Fiji and experienced IBO (Inbound Tour Operators like Tour Managers) by way of co-op campaigns  in source markets to drive tactical packages through online portal have yielded very positive results. Targets have been achieved over and above expectation which have been a great motivator for the continuation of this form of partnership. The key item here is to sustain the momentum especially with China being such a huge market and Fiji targeting medium to high end tourists in order to be generating good average spend from the markets.

-Better coordination between the marketing arm of government and recognized stakeholders who have consistently supported programs and initiatives for the promotion of destination Fiji. Consistency and reliability is a crucial factor in supporting the growth of targets markets from Asia and with the new Singapore route about to open, it is important that close collaboration be made between committed partners to open the doors of these markets for consistency and quality experiences.

-That culture and tradition be the foundation of our destination in terms of the holistic aspect of all components related to Fiji. We as Fijians have been tagged as one of the world’s happiest people and it is not a character trait that was schooled or taught. It comes naturally. Our culture and tradition is about hospitality and our service delivery is on par with the best in the world because its genuine. It’s in us as a people and its infectious. Always if you ask a visitor returning to their home after holidaying in Fiji, “What was the highlight of your holiday – 8 times out of 10, the guest would say it’s the people of Fiji that make the holiday memorable. It’s our people, and since tourism is such a wide ranging industry which touches multiple industries and ripples through the entire country, we as Fijians must recognize this and ensure that our culture/tradition is promoted correctly, is done in a genuine manner and not just for the sake of doing it and lastly, that we are proud of it. We are blessed as Fijians with our natural assets and natural ability to bring a smile to a person’s face. Many don’t realize that it’s that feeling of happiness that visitors look for when on holiday.

-On a more sober note, the government needs to put in place monitoring systems to carefully look at the quality of inbound operators entering emerging markets (such as India and China). Fiji needs to be careful of fly by night operators who quickly set-up operations and do not genuinely have the interests of the destination as part of their agenda.

What further opportunities do you see in this industry?

There are huge opportunities for the industry for this year and the future. With the Fijian government continuing to push for a more friendly investment climate for international investors for the tourism industry, increasing capital spend into projects to improve roads, bridges and other utilities in Fiji, expansion in route networks by Fiji Airways and intensive marketing with the private sector by Tourism Fiji to place destination Fiji top of mind for all its targeted destinations, these positive growth drivers can further increase the pool of opportunities available.

The activities market is still a relatively un-touched market in terms of business which can be created. A pathway needs to be setup to involve Fijians in pre-determined areas of business for. The quality factor is also a problem area which needs to be addressed through closer collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism to provide better education and linkage to funding agencies and programs which can aid set-up of business.

The shopping sector needs to be supported for the types of tourists we are targeting from Asia so that they can purchase products of world renowned brands and fame. This is one area that I know we are not getting enough of the revenue that we should be.

 What sort of strategies do you apply to make up for the slow period?

We at Tour Managers are fortunate that a significant focus from a strategic stand-point is aimed at the emerging markets of China, India and Taiwan. These markets typically travel during Fiji’s traditionally slow periods of the calendar month and therefore, these markets have proven very lucrative in terms of balancing the market mix from source markets.

We have also engaged for many years with operators from around the globe who are good at promoting the destination during low or shoulder months. Some of the lowest months for Fiji are our busiest.