Two resorts in the country’s North have been named amongst the world’s best in international awards. The 2015 World Travel Awards, announced in Morocco.

 Taveuni Palms Resort on Taveuni Island was named the world’s leading luxury boutique island resort;

 And the Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort near Savusavu town was named the world’s leading dive resort.

Jean-Michel Cousteau Fiji Island Resort topped an international finals list that also included leading international properties:

 Las Terrazas Resort, Belize

 Little Cayman Beach Resort, Cayman Islands

 Palau Pacific Resort, Republic of Palau

 Royal Savoy Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt

Taveuni Palms is run by expat Aucklanders Barry and Colleen O’Neill.

Colleen says this year’s win is testament to the hard work of the resort’s exceptional staff.

“The Wall Street Journal describes the awards as the Oscars of the global travel and tourism industry, so it’s an honour to be recognised for our uncompromising standards, high level of professional service and attention to detail.

Our guests enjoy unparalleled seclusion with seven personal staff, as well as a private pool and beach.”

Taveuni Palms won Fiji Leading Resort award last year and was also named in TripAdvisor’s 2015 Top Ten Island Resorts of the world.

Colleen says this is “a heady accolade, as it is heavily based on the first hand feedback of travelers themselves.”

Chris Frost, Vice President of the World Travel Awards, says: “Taveuni Palms has set a new benchmark for understated luxury in an idyllic South Pacific setting.

“I am delighted that the resort’s unique charm and unrivalled service has been acknowledged by both the travel trade and the public with these top accolades.”

Mr Barry says the award also recognised the resort’s natural beauty.

“We feel so lucky to be located on the most beautiful of all the Fiji Islands. Every morning our guests love watching a pod of dolphins that swims past the resort.

About Awards

World Travel Awards was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence in all sectors of tourism industry.

Winners of the World Travel Awards are selected through voting by more than 180,000 travel professionals and high-end tourism consumers around the world.

It is run through regional awards culminating with a global awards for regional winners

This year, the World Travel Awards™ celebrated its 22nd anniversay.