1. How does Hilton Fiji contribute to Fiji’s evolving hospitality landscape, and what is your overall vision for the portfolio?
Hilton has been part of Fiji’s hospitality story for more than two decades, and today our portfolio reflects both the strength of the destination and the evolving needs of modern travelers Across Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Sonaisali Island, and the forthcoming DoubleTree by Hilton Suva, we are able to offer three distinct experiences - from a broad beachfront resort stay, to a relaxed island-style escape, to warm, full-service hospitality in the heart of the capital. Together, these hotels allow us to support Fiji’s growth across leisure, family, corporate, government and transit travel, while staying true to what makes hospitality here so special: Hilton’s trusted global standards delivered with the warmth, generosity and cultural authenticity of Fiji.
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa and DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, Sonaisali Island were the first internationally branded resorts to be privately owned by a consortium of Fijian gentlemen, of which we are very proud. While each property has its own distinct brand positioning and guest experience, we have a shared focus across the portfolio on developing our local team into management roles.
Out of our close to 900 team members across Hilton Fiji and DoubleTree Sonaisali Island, we have only six expatriates - something we are incredibly proud of. The strength of our hotels comes from our Fijian team members, who bring not only deep local knowledge, and cultural connection, but also the warmth, generosity and sense of community that define hospitality in Fiji. Across our properties, we are focused on creating pathways for local talent to step into leadership roles, because the long-term vision is for these hotels to be led by Fijians, for Fijians, and for every guest who comes to experience this special part of the world. We are well on that journey now.
We are also very proud to be celebrating 20 years in Fiji. For more than over two decades, Hilton has helped shape the country’s modern hospitality landscape, growing alongside the destination while investing in local talent, guest experience and community impact. That legacy is about more than welcoming guests and creating memorable stays; it is also about the way our resorts have grown with our team members and the communities around us.
When we opened, we had around 200 to 230 people. Today, we have between 500 and 580 at the Hilton property. It is more than just welcoming guests; it is about creating meaningful careers for Fijians, building leadership capability locally and ensuring our hotels contribute to Fiji’s long-term hospitality talent pipeline.
We have had many team members who have gone on to Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada and the UK, working with our hotels or other brands. That is incredibly exciting because it can be life-changing, not only for them but also for their families.
Our community outreach is also closely aligned with Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy, which guides how we create positive environmental and social impact for our people, our hotels and the communities in which we operate. In Fiji, that comes to life in very practical and meaningful ways through programs such as Linens for Life, Glass Crushing for Bricks, Soap for Hope and Meals on Wheels, as well as fundraising activities across the country. These initiatives help allow us to reduce waste, support vulnerable communities, strengthen local resilience and ensure our hotels are contributing to Fiji well beyond the guest experience.
2. Fiji is increasingly positioning itself as a premium, experience-led destination. How are you adapting the Hilton properties to meet the expectations of today’s international travelers while showcasing the authenticity, culture and natural beauty of Fiji?
Our Fijian people are among the most hospitable and authentic people in the world. Service comes from the heart. They love creating relationships and rapport with our guests and sharing how they live.
That adds enormously to the guest experience. We have a huge return-client base, and many guests come back specifically to see our team.
When we welcome our guests, we welcome them to our “vuvale”, which means family in Fijian. That sense of belonging is deeply rooted in Fijian culture, and it is something our team brings to life every day through genuine warmth, generosity and care. Hilton gives guests the reassurance of trusted global standards, but in Fiji those standards are delivered with a very personal sense of home, connection and cultural authenticity. That combination is what makes the experience so special, and what guests remember long after they leave.
Hilton is an iconic host, and that iconic hospitality that we have been providing for the last 20 years continues to resonate and grow.
The landscape has changed somewhat since COVID. People are increasingly looking for intergenerational travel, and Hilton is almost purpose-built for that because we have so many different room types and apartments with full kitchens and laundries, as well as hotel rooms and private residences with their own pools.
There is a lot of diversity in what we offer. But I really feel that our guests do not simply want a hotel stay anymore. They want experiences. They want to be able to create memories with their families.
There is also considerable economic pressure worldwide, which means people are increasingly conscious of value for money. We are constantly trying to evolve, diversify and improve our service offering to meet those expectations.
3. The US market is particularly important to Fiji’s tourism growth. What opportunities do you see to attract more American visitors, especially from California and the US West Coast, and what makes Fiji compelling for this audience?
Fiji Airways has done a fantastic job launching services into the US, and I think the increased flight capacity to San Francisco, Los Angeles and Dallas has been game-changing.
Tourism Fiji also did a great job of positioning Fiji as a safe destination after COVID. We were ahead of the curve as a country compared with Southeast Asia, Europe and other parts of the world.
For an American guest, Hilton is also a very strongly recognized brand. They know the brand and they trust it, so that provides an additional level of confidence.
There is also a very strong value proposition. For American travelers, Fiji offers world-class accommodation, exceptional dining and pristine natural beauty, with a compelling value proposition compared with some other South Pacific destinations.
Fiji can also easily be packaged with Australia or New Zealand. Travelers can visit those destinations but make sure they have an amazing stopover in Fiji.
I think many people focus on our oceans, reefs and islands, but Fiji’s interior offers so many experiences as well: river safaris, high-speed jet boating, four-wheel-bike adventures in the highlands, waterfalls and beautiful rainforests.
Fiji is such a diverse country, and even five or seven days is not enough to see everything. That creates a great opportunity for visitors to come back for future stays.
4. Each of your properties serves a different purpose within Fiji’s tourism and business ecosystem. How do you position the beachfront resort experience of Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa and DoubleTree Sonaisali alongside the business-oriented DoubleTree by Hilton Suva?
What makes the portfolio compelling is that each property plays a distinct role within Fiji’s tourism and business ecosystem, while collectively giving travelers more reasons to discover, stay longer and return.
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa offers the breadth and energy of a major beachfront resort. Set across an expansive beachfront with generous green spaces and lawns, the resort brings together nine pools, an adults-only area, day spa, kids’ club, recreation activities, four restaurants and bars, and a deli where we bake our own breads, pastries, desserts, sandwiches and pies. It is a large resort with 359 keys and the ability to accommodate around 1,500 guests at full occupancy, but what is important is that it still feels deeply connected to Fiji.
That sense of place comes through in the way our team shares culture with guests every day - from kava ceremonies under the frangipani tree, to basket weaving, medicine tours through our gardens and our daily cultural hour. It is a broad resort experience, but it remains warm, authentic and distinctly Fijian.
DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Sonaisali Island offers something quite different. It is our hidden gem - a place where guests can disconnect in order to reconnect. Just a short five-minute boat ride from the mainland, Sonaisali immediately feels more relaxed and removed. It has that sense of an island escape, while still being easily accessible, with outdoor dining, horse riding on the beach, paintball and river cruises around the island.
DoubleTree by Hilton Suva will again serve a different purpose. Located in the heart of the capital with 180-degree harbor views, it will bring DoubleTree’s warm, full-service hospitality to Suva, a city that plays an important role in Fiji’s corporate, government and diplomatic activity. With two restaurants and meeting space, the hotel will be well positioned for business, government, group and transit travelers, while also offering leisure guests a comfortable and internationally recognized stay in the capital.
Together, these three hotels allow us to meet Fiji’s evolving mix of travel occasions - from beachfront family holidays and relaxed island escapes to business and government travel in Suva. Each property has its own character and guest proposition, but they are all grounded in the same promise: trusted Hilton standards delivered with the warmth, generosity and cultural authenticity of Fijian hospitality.
5. Sustainability is becoming increasingly important to international travelers and hospitality operators. What initiatives are Hilton Fiji’s properties undertaking to reduce their environmental impact, protect Fiji’s marine and natural ecosystems and support responsible tourism?
We hear more and more from guests that sustainability matters to them, particularly around food waste, plastics, single-use items, beaches and the health of the marine environment. In Fiji, those issues are deeply connected to the destination itself, which is why our approach is guided by Hilton’s Travel with Purpose strategy - our global commitment to creating positive environmental and social impact across our people, hotels and communities.
For us, Travel with Purpose comes to life through practical, measurable initiatives that reduce waste, strengthen community resilience, protect Fiji’s natural and marine environments, and give guests meaningful ways to travel more responsibly.
Since 2022, we have partnered with Fiji Chemicals to introduce Linens for Life, Soap for Hope and Glass Crushing for Bricks. Through Glass Crushing for Bricks, we have already diverted almost 18 tonnes of glass, primarily from Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa because of the larger volume. The glass is crushed and used in cement mixes, helping to reduce sand harvesting while making bricks more affordable for communities.
That impact is tangible: a standard brick in Fiji can cost around FJ$8.30, while bricks using crushed glass can cost around FJ$2.80, making stronger, cyclone-resilient materials more accessible to local communities.
Through Linens for Life, we donate linen to shelters and community partners, where it can be repurposed into items such as school shirts, sulus, bags and sleeping bags. Through Soap for Hope, used soap is sanitized, softened and remade into new soap blocks for distribution to villages. We also operate Meals on Wheels once a quarter, distributing food to approximately 300 people from Nadi through to the Lautoka corridor.
Environmental education is another important focus. At Sonaisali Island, we undertake mangrove planting with guests and are expanding our kids’ club to include a marine biology experience that helps children understand the marine environment and the impact of waste entering the ocean.
Across our hotels, we are also taking everyday operational steps to reduce our impact, from raking beaches daily and using environmentally friendly chemicals to introducing tapioca straws, paper bags, recycled takeaway containers, bamboo key cards and online storage systems to reduce paper consumption. We are also exploring plastic shredding with Fiji Chemicals, where plastic bottles could be processed for use in roads, pathways and children’s play areas.
Ultimately, Travel with Purpose is about ensuring hospitality creates lasting value beyond the stay itself. In Fiji, that means protecting the natural beauty guests come to experience, strengthening the communities we are part of and helping travelers feel they can make more responsible choices when they stay with us.
6. Delivering consistently high international standards in an island destination comes with unique challenges. How do you manage staffing, supply chains, logistics and infrastructure while maintaining the level of service expected from a global hospitality brand?
From a people perspective, this is one of the most important parts of how we deliver consistently strong service. In an island destination, there will always be complexities around supply chains, logistics and infrastructure, but the guest experience ultimately comes down to the strength, resilience and culture of your team.
Training and development are a major focus across all our properties. We have a full-time training and development manager and make extensive use of Hilton University, which gives our team members access to world-class learning programs. We also invest in offshore workshops and specialist training, helping our people broaden their experience and bring new capability back into the business.
What we are most proud of is seeing local talent grow into leadership roles. Our commercial director, for example, has gone through Hilton’s Shine program as part of his development towards becoming a general manager. Our hotel manager in Suva has also progressed significantly within the business - from executive chef at Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa, to cluster executive chef, director of operations, and now leading our Suva property.
That focus on people is reflected in the culture we are building. Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa and DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Sonaisali Island have been recognised as Great Place to Work certified properties, which is particularly meaningful because it is based on feedback from our own team members. For us, it reinforces a simple belief: when we take care of our team, they take care of our guests.
From an operational perspective, being on an island means we also have to be adaptable. Supply chains can be unpredictable, lead times can be long, and global events have continued to affect logistics and pricing. That requires resilience, strong planning and always having a Plan B - and sometimes a Plan C.
Infrastructure will also remain important as Fiji continues to grow as a tourism destination. The government has made significant progress, particularly on roads, and continued investment in supporting infrastructure will be important to ensure sustainable, long-term development.
Ultimately, maintaining international standards in Fiji is about combining global systems and training with local leadership, adaptability and deeply Fijian hospitality.
7. Looking ahead, what trends and opportunities do you see shaping Fiji’s hospitality sector over the next five to ten years, and what are Hilton Fiji’s priorities for growth, innovation and strengthening its contribution to the destination?
Looking ahead, Fiji has a powerful opportunity to keep evolving as a premium, experience-led destination - one known not only for its natural beauty, but for its culture, people, food, wellness, adventure and genuine hospitality.
For Hilton Fiji, our priority is to invest for the long term. DoubleTree by Hilton Suva will bring a new internationally recognized hotel offering to the capital, building market momentum and supporting Suva’s corporate, government, diplomatic and leisure sectors. Future phases will add restaurants, meeting space and other facilities, further strengthening the city’s accommodation and events offering.
At DoubleTree Resort by Hilton Sonaisali Island, planned upgrades to rooms, the lobby, restaurant and bure roofs will enhance the relaxed island experience guests know and love.
Hilton Fiji Beach Resort and Spa is also entering an exciting new chapter, with a major master-planning and renovation program that includes room upgrades, refreshed dining, a new lobby with expanded retail, a larger gym and a purpose-built day spa.
Across the portfolio, our focus is to grow thoughtfully - enhancing the guest experience, supporting our owners, creating career pathways for local talent and continuing to contribute to Fiji’s broader tourism economy.
From a market perspective, the US will remain a strong focus as connectivity grows and American travelers seek destinations that combine culture, natural beauty, trusted hospitality and compelling value.
At the same time, we see opportunity to diversify further into Europe, Southeast Asia, China and Japan, while continuing to nurture our core markets of Australia and New Zealand.
Ultimately, our ambition is to help Fiji grow in a way that is sustainable, inclusive and experience-led - creating hotels that guests love, team members are proud to work in and communities benefit from over the long term.
8. Finally, what message would you like to share with Los Angeles Times readers about the Hilton Fiji experience, and why should American travelers choose Fiji for their next Pacific holiday?
Come to somewhere where you are genuinely welcomed with heartfelt, authentic hospitality, and where you can learn about a beautiful culture in a pristine environment.
There is so much to do in Fiji. Whether it is out on the water, in our beautiful highlands, in our rainforests or on our rivers, Fiji has something for everybody.
It has something for every age demographic and every type of traveler who chooses to come to our beautiful country.
Our team will genuinely welcome you into our vuvale, our family, and make you feel like one of us for the time that you are with us.
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