A significant surge in tourist numbers is positively impacting occupancy rates at the Shangri-La Yanuca Island Fiji, with the five-star luxury resort experiencing occupancy levels exceeding 90 percent and occasionally reaching full capacity. The resort’s general manager, Francis Lee, attributed this boom to a remarkable influx of visitors from Australia, New Zealand, and increasingly from the United States, Canada, Japan, and China.
Lee expressed that the resort has been fortunate to witness strong arrivals since the beginning of the year. However, he identified a pressing industry challenge stemming from the rise in tourism — a shortage of accommodations in Fiji. “There are days when we simply don’t have enough rooms,” he noted, emphasizing the need for more hotels to meet demand, although he acknowledged that large-scale developments require a substantial timeframe of three to five years.
In addition to the accommodation challenges, the hospitality sector is grappling with a lack of skilled workers. Many experienced staff members have opted for job opportunities in Australia and New Zealand, making it increasingly difficult for local establishments to retain talent. Despite these labor pressures, Lee pointed out the strong loyalty from the surrounding villages, where hospitality runs in families across generations, contributing to the community’s resilience.
Lee remains optimistic that many of those who leave for opportunities abroad will return with enhanced skills and experiences, ultimately benefiting Fiji’s tourism industry in the long run. This sense of community, combined with the positive influx of tourists, paints a hopeful picture for the future of the resort and the broader tourism sector in Fiji.
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