Caption: Starwood Group Area GM Fiji and Samoa Shane Cunning talks to journalist Siteri Sauvakacolo during the opening. Photo: MARGARET NAQIRI. For more photos, click here:- https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.656173874420048.1073742008.131483256889115&type=3
By IRENE EDWARDS of Sheraton Fiji
The Denarau Island Convention Centre opened its doors and welcomed its clients, industry partners, tourism stakeholders, friends and family on Wednesday night at Sheraton Fiji Resort.
Having lost the previous Events Centre in December’s 2012 Cyclone Evan, Sheraton and Westin Resorts Fiji showcased its purposely built permanent structure located at Sheraton Fiji Resort and accessed via undercover walkway to the resort’s existing ballroom pre-function area and lobby.
Denarau Island Convention Centre is the largest event space on Denarau Island with an investment of 3.5 million dollars and 6 months of construction, Sheraton and Westin Resorts Fiji is proud to be able to contribute to the ongoing development of Denarau Island.
“The key attribute will be Denarau Island having a venue with the capacity to host large local, regional and international gatherings such as conferences, seminars, symposiums, meetings and events enabling a greater scope of events that will benefit Denarau Island and Fiji as a whole,” said Shane Cunning, Area General Manager Fiji and Samoa.
“With a capacity of 1500 seated guests, we will aim to attract larger conventions and exhibitions to Fiji from around the world,” he continued.
With Denarau’s close proximity to Nadi International Airport, Denarau Island Convention Centre will open doors for more conferencing and events on the larger spectrum and with a few bookings already on the books for 2014 this convention will not only benefit Denarau Island as a whole but it also allows Fiji to become a serious destination for such events.
Denarau Island Convention Centre will play host to one of its first big events in May 2014, the Fijian Tourism Epo (FTE). Tourism Fiji will deliver a uniquely Fijian Tourism experience for international buyers of tourism products by showcasing all that the tourism industry in Fiji has to offer.