Former school teacher Latu Filipo Tuitani was among the winners of the Fijian Host monthly awards ceremony at the Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa at Denarau yesterday.

Mr Tuitani, originally from Nukuni in Ono-i-Lau and has links to Samoa, was nominated for the September awards.

He had joined the Air Terminal Services – passengers service department at the Nadi International Airport in 2015.

“I was a teacher for the last 19 years and decided to switch my career to the tourism sector,” the 39-year-old said.

“I’m really happy to be among those that are being recognised as delivering world class customer service to the airlines and also to the stakeholders.”

Harish Kumar, 32, a health quarantine officer became the first to win the award from his department.

“It is a good feeling to the first to be awarded from my department and I love doing my job in this particular section.

He joined the Ministry of Health in Sigatoka in 2006 and joined the Nadi International Airport branch in 2010.

Minister for Industry, Trade and Industry  Faiyaz Koya thanked each individual serving as frontliners for their excellent service and also reiterated his confidence in the Fijian Hosts programme.

“We can bring in the culture of excellence at our major international airports; we can

do the same in the entire tourism industry and we can only achieve this by working

together,” he said.

The Minister said it was the first and last impressions of Fiji that could prove vital when the guest returned home, to share his or her experiences with family and friends that could influence them to also want to visit Fiji.

“Now that’s free marketing at its best and as you all know the power of “word-of-mouth” in the marketing arena. I have no doubt this initiative will continue to flourish and wish it a successful year ahead.

He said Government would continue to support the programme and the partnership with all.

Edited by ManasaKalouniviti

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