Labasa is set to welcome its first internationally-branded hotel, thanks to a collaboration between Damodar Group and the renowned hotel management brand Ramada Encore. The 40-room hotel, named Ramada Encore by Wyndham at Damodar City Labasa, aims to enhance the local tourism industry and contribute to Fiji’s broader tourism framework.
Div Damodar, CEO of the Damodar Group, shared news of this development and expressed his confidence in its positive impact on the region’s economy, particularly in boosting local businesses and employment. He believes this project will pave the way for other international brands to enter Vanua Levu, setting a significant trend.
“We’re witnessing a shift in the economic landscape of Labasa. With our previous $60 million complex development in Damodar City Labasa, we secured over 60 tenants and created more than 1,500 jobs, both directly and indirectly. The arrival of this hotel will substantially alter the perception of Vanua Levu,” Damodar stated.
Initially, the Damodar Group had not planned to partner with an international hotel brand. They intended to manage the hotel independently once construction was complete. However, last year, they were approached by the Wyndham group, which recognized an opportunity in the market.
“At first, we didn’t consider collaborating with a branded hotel. But once we evaluated the situation, we realized that introducing a branded hotel to Vanua Levu was a beneficial move,” he added.
The initiative aims to attract further investment to the northern region of Fiji. Responding to the government’s Look North policy, Damodar highlighted the significant potential for economic growth in Labasa, a location previously perceived to have limited opportunities.
Damodar recalled the skepticism his team faced when announcing their expansion plans, but the developments at Damodar City Labasa have proven the naysayers wrong. “Seeing businesses like Extra Supermarket opening and benefiting local farmers demonstrates the positive changes. The presence of international brands in the area is a notion that once seemed improbable,” he noted.
The hotel, expected to open by late 2024 or early 2025, will feature 40 rooms, including three suites, an 80-seater conference area, a swimming pool, a restaurant, a gym, and a bar, aiming to cater to both leisure and business travelers.
Damodar expressed his pride in the potential of Vanua Levu and encouraged other investors to consider opportunities in the region. He envisions further expansion of the Damodar Group’s tourism ventures across the country in the years to come.