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The agreement was signed on 6 January in Suva by AFL Chairman Viliame Leqa and Tappoo Chairman Kanti Tappoo |
FIJI. Tappoo Duty Free Traders and Airports Fiji Limited (AFL) have signed off a new 10-year Agreement covering the retailer’s general duty free outlet in Nadi International Airport’s international departures area.
The agreement, first revealed in May 2004, was signed on 6 January in Suva by AFL Chairman Viliame Leqa and Tappoo Chairman Kanti Tappoo. It was witnessed by AFL CEO Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia, and Tappoo Director Vinod Tappoo.
Tappoo Duty Free Traders first won the tender for the Nadi departures general duty free concession after it was advertised by AFL in late 2003.
The company has several other retail outlets at Nadi Airport including Tappoo Fiji Duty Free, Fiji Market, Bon Voyage, Samosa Garden, an arrivals duty free store and the Serevi Café in the transit lounge which is named after international rugby sevens legend and Tappoo Corporate Ambassador, Waisale Serevi. Tappoo also operates a duty free outlet at Nausori Airport.
“This is a historic moment,” said Kanti Tappoo, adding that the company’s policy of providing a “˜win-win’ situation for all parties involved was decisive in securing the extension.
“This (renewal) will enable us to invest in international standard shopping facilities and experience at Nadi Airport, offering quality brand products to satisfy the customers. Our intention is to make Tappoo outlets at Nadi Airport one of a kind in the world,” he said.
This would entail a “massive injection of creativity and capital”, he added.
Tappoo is entering its second decade as a concessionaire armed with a number of innovative projects designed to raise the profile of its outlets and the airport in general, Kanti Tappoo said.
“Our duty is to ensure that Nadi International caters for all tastes so that travellers do not feel they are missing out on anything that other top-notch airports provide,” he commented.
“In tandem with Airports Fiji, we at Tappoo intend to provide a unique travelling and retailing experience for visitors to our shores,” he said. “It will be an experience the visitors will remember for a long time.”
Tappoo is already embarking on a multi-million dollar renovation project for all its outlets at Nadi International. Work will start soon.
Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia described the new agreement as a significant occasion because Tappoo’s general duty free outlet was an important feature of Nadi Airport, offering an excellent international-standard shopping experience.
“Their planned renovations will further enhance the standard of their facilities and services,” he said.
“We see Tappoo Duty Free Traders as a major retail player at Nadi and Nausori Airports contributing substantially to AFL’s revenues over the years and this agreement gives them the opportunity to further enhance their role at Nadi Airport”, he added.
MORE STORIES ON TAPPOO
Website of the week: The Tappoo Group of Companies – 24/11/05
Tappoo plans to open Newslink store in Nadi Airport as expansion plans take shape – 13/11/05
Fine wines highlight new-look arrivals duty free from Tappoo – 13/09/04
Motibhai and Tappoo partnerships win new long-term contracts at Fiji’s Nadi Airport – 10/05/04
