Labasa is set to welcome its first internationally branded hotel through a collaboration with Ramada Encore, an established hotel management brand. The Damodar Group will oversee the operation of the 40-room hotel located at Damodar City in Labasa.
The new establishment, named Ramada Encore by Wyndham at Damodar City Labasa, is anticipated to significantly boost both the local tourism industry and Fiji’s overall tourism landscape.
Div Damodar, the CEO of the Damodar Group, announced the development this week and highlighted the potential benefits for the local economy. He expressed confidence that the hotel will attract additional brands to Vanua Levu, establishing a trend for future developments.
“This project will positively impact the town’s economic status, particularly in business, tourism, and employment rates,” he stated. “We believe that this marks the beginning of more brands arriving in Vanua Levu.”
The Damodar City Labasa complex previously underwent a $60 million development, resulting in over 60 tenants and creating more than 1500 jobs directly and indirectly. Mr. Damodar emphasized how the new hotel brand will transform the region, aligning with their broader vision for the area.
Initially, the Damodar Group planned to manage the hotel independently as part of their larger development project. However, after being approached by Wyndham last year, they recognized the opportunity to introduce a branded hotel to the region and decided to pursue the partnership.
The motivation behind this initiative is to draw more investments to the northern region, which has historically been overlooked. The Look North policy introduced by the previous government presented opportunities that the Damodar Group aimed to capitalize on, challenging the narrative of limited investment prospects in the area.
Mr. Damodar expressed his enthusiasm regarding the community’s reaction to their expansion into Labasa, noting that skepticism has turned into anticipation as people witness the development of Damodar City.
The new hotel, set to open by late 2024 or early 2025, will feature 40 rooms, including three suites, a swimming pool, an 80-seater conference area, a restaurant, a gym, and a bar. This facility aims to cater to both leisure travelers and business visitors to Labasa.
“We have frequent flights connecting Suva to Labasa, and we take pride in what Vanua Levu has to offer. I encourage other investors to invest in the region,” he remarked, reflecting on his vision for future growth over the next five to ten years.
The Damodar Group intends to broaden its tourism ventures and explore opportunities across the country.