Yatu Lau Company Limited is contemplating potential collaborations with international brands for economic purposes, as stated by its chairman Viliame Leqa. However, he noted that any such moves may occur in the future.
When asked about the possibility of outsourcing management for the company’s tourism properties, Leqa indicated that the internal discussions were unfamiliar to him. He clarified, “At this stage, Yatu Lau Company Limited has no intention to outsource the management of our current hotel properties to any overseas international brand.” Furthermore, he mentioned that they might explore partnerships with international brands in the near future, driven solely by economic considerations.
Leqa advised looking into the experiences of Fijian Holdings Limited and the Fiji National Provident Fund regarding their collaborations with multinational companies to understand the structure of global business models. He emphasized that Yatu Lau was still in an exploratory phase and had not yet reached a decision regarding potential options.
Sources close to the situation revealed that another local tourism management operator is under consideration following initial inquiries with Parkside Hotel Group about managing the resort.
Concerns have arisen amongst local employees at Yatu Lau regarding the potential outsourcing to a global brand, as many fear it could necessitate job searches.
An email from Yatu Lau’s chief financial officer, Indika Weerasekara, to several executives, including Leqa, indicated that Parkside Hotel Group had proposed a “more profitable” management plan for the Lagoon resort.
Parkside Hotel Group claims to have operations in several countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and various nations across Asia and the Middle East, listing Fiji among its areas of operation.
According to the Registrar of Companies, Parkside Hotel Group Fiji was founded last year under two directors: Viliame and Pramod J Patel. Local director Viliame Rodan confirmed his involvement but stated he distanced himself from the company two to three years ago, despite still being registered as a director. He explained that he has been consulting globally and focusing on attracting investors, having received a better offer in Dubai.
Parkside’s registration details, as per a draft agreement dated July 1, 2024, with Yatu Lau, indicate that the company was officially based in London. However, records show that the company’s address was changed in 2022, and it was dissolved in June of the previous year.
The United Kingdom’s Companies House highlights that Patel was the owner prior to the name change to Parkside Hotel Group Ltd in recent years. The company claims to manage over two dozen properties and lists affiliations with notable names such as Air France and Disney.
The Lagoon Resort in Deuba is one of three properties owned by Yatu Lau Company. Established in 1972 by the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, Yatu Lau originally served as an investment vehicle for Lauans, allowing non-Lauan members to become stakeholders after changes made in 2007.
In internal communications dated July 1, 2024, Weerasekara remarked that when analyzing financial figures, Parkside Hotel Group’s profitability could benefit the management of Yatu Lau’s Lagoon property. Weerasekara noted maintaining contact with Parkside’s vice president P.J. Patel, who has persistently sought to assume management of Yatu Lau Holdings Company’s investment operations. He mentioned that further negotiations regarding management rates could take place based on proposals discussed with Patel.