Labasa is set to welcome its first internationally-branded hotel through a collaboration with Ramada Encore, an internationally recognized hotel management brand. The Damodar Group’s 40-room hotel will be located in Damodar City, Labasa.
Named Ramada Encore by Wyndham at Damodar City Labasa, the hotel is anticipated to significantly boost the local tourism industry and contribute positively to Fiji’s tourism sector.
Div Damodar, the chief executive officer of the Damodar Group, shared the news this week and discussed the expected benefits of this development. He expressed confidence that this hotel will serve as a catalyst for attracting other brands to Vanua Levu and help set a trend in the region.
Damodar noted that the project will have a favorable impact on the local economy, including the enhancement of business opportunities, tourism growth, and an increase in employment rates. He emphasized that this hotel marks the beginning of attracting more hotel brands to Vanua Levu.
The Damodar Group previously invested $60 million into the Damodar City Labasa complex, which supports over 60 tenants and has created more than 1,500 jobs. Damodar remarked that the introduction of the hotel brand will transform Vanua Levu’s local landscape.
Initially, the plan did not involve partnering with any hotel chain. Damodar explained that the original intention was to operate the hotel independently following construction. However, last year, they were approached by the Wyndham group, who recognized the potential in this venture.
The aim behind the initiative is to attract more investors to the northern region. With the introduction of the Look North policy by the previous government, Damodar Group identified opportunities in the area that had often been overlooked due to negative perceptions.
Damodar believes that there is considerable potential for wealth and growth in Labasa, which will become evident as more brands consider expanding to the region. He noted that the positive response to their initial business expansion in Labasa has been encouraging, with local businesses also starting to thrive since their arrival.
The hotel is slated to open by the end of this year or early 2025, featuring 40 rooms, including three suites, a swimming pool, an 80-seater conference area, a restaurant, a gym, and a bar. It aims to set new accommodation standards in the region for travelers visiting Labasa for both leisure and business purposes.
Damodar expressed pride in what they have accomplished in Labasa and encouraged other investors to explore opportunities in the area, looking forward to sharing success stories in the coming years. The Damodar Group plans to further expand its tourism operations and explore new ventures across the country.