FIJI. Nadi International airport has experienced a surge in trading since a F$23 million (US$12 million) terminal renovation opened on 20 June.
The project was a joint venture between Singaporean company Neocorp and Fiji’s Tappoo Group, which operates travel retail stores as part of its diverse business interests throughout the island nation.
The revamp, commissioned by the airport owners, Airports Fiji, was completed in time for the South Pacific Games, hosted by Fiji from 28 June to 12 July. According to Tappoo Group chairman Kanti Tappoo, the Fijian gateway has recorded a sharp lift in passenger numbers, positive feedback from airport users and improved spending patterns since the reopening.
Nadi is a leading hub for transport around the South Pacific region. The new terminal opened to an influx of 6000 athletes and thousands more supporters from around the Pacific Islands for the region’s premier sporting event. Overall tourist visitor numbers in June showed an increase of +11.4% over June 2002. Tourism operators expect a strong third quarter performance following on from the improving business trend during the second quarter.
Tappoo already had a substantial investment in retail shops at Nadi International, where it operates a large duty free store as well as outlets selling souvenirs and destination merchandise. Tappoo has further retail outlets at Suva’s Nausori International Airport, along with three upscale department stores (in Nadi, Sigatoka and Suva), and boutiques and convenience stores at many of Fiji’s major hotel resorts.
The next major investment for the Tappoo Group is an F$5 million (US$2.6 million) plan to make additional improvements to its retail chain by the end of 2003. The focus for this next phase is again Nadi International Airport, where Tappoo has been granted additional space for shops in the extended departure lounge area. “ISF will embark on a major refurbishment of all Tappoo shops at the international airport to ensure we maintain our edge in the area of sophistication and finesse,” said Mr Kanti Tappoo.
“We have a lot of confidence in Fiji and can see a clear growth trend in the country,” Tappoo said. “Tourism numbers are set to increase and major investments are underway or planned. There is also excellent scope for extending our retail, wholesale and manufacturing businesses.”
Prime Minister Laisenia Qarase spoke at the handing-over ceremony of the value the Tappoo Group and its partners had brought to Fiji’s economy. “I congratulate AFL and the two joint venture partners (Tappoo ISF-Neocorp) for a project well done. Tappoo is one of the classic Fiji success stories. Starting from nothing, this family company has built itself into one of Fiji’s best-known and most respected business enterprises.”
According to the Fiji Bureau of Statistics, the moving twelve monthly numbers ending June 2003 show the total number of visitors to Fiji increased by +6.2% compared with the same period in 2002. Visitors from the UK increased by +28.2%; while the Pacific Islands rose +17.5%; Taiwanese increased +16%; Australians +8.5%; Japanese +6.5% and Continental Europe +5.5%. Decreases were recorded for visitors from Canada by (-8.1%); South Korea (-7.4%); the US (-5.8%) and New Zealand (-0.3%).
January to June visitor arrivals in 2003 showed an increase of +2.2% over the corresponding period in 2002. Japanese numbers suffered earlier in the year, falling -15.5% for the first four months, according to latest JNTO statistics.
Kanti Tappoo told The Moodie Report that the first quarter was hit by SARS and the Iraq war but the market picked up quite well in the second quarter. “All the hotels are experiencing very good bookings this quarter,” he said.
Click here for a feature article on the new terminal development.
