ANZ yesterday announced its continued commitment to the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards as naming-rights sponsor for another two years.

ANZ has been the naming-rights sponsor for the event since 2015, and before that a gold sponsor.

The Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards have been presented annually since 1998.

ANZ Fiji Country Head, Saud Minam, made the renewal of the sponsor announcement in Suva, reiterating ANZ’s support to Fiji’s tourism industry.

“ANZ has been a long-time supporter of the Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards,” Mr Minam said.

“These are the most prestigious tourism awards in Fiji, and we’re delighted to be associated with this great event.”

“We believe that by supporting the awards, we’re helping to provide a valuable platform for Fiji’s tourism industry to grow and embrace global best-practice by recognising sustainable and innovative business practices.”

ANZ support

Chair of the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards, Bill Whiting, said: “ANZ’s support is deeply appreciated.

“The sponsorship is vital in enabling the trustees to recognise and acknowledge those individuals and companies who set an aspirational standard of excellence in tourism,” he said.

“Fiji has a strong growing tourism industry, which with government support is setting exceptionally high standards and achieving record numbers of visitor arrivals.”

Mr Whiting said the sponsorship amount had increased and he thanked ANZ for suppporting them to expand their commitment in recognising excellence in tourism.

Emerging Tourism Leader’ category

Mr Whiting also announced a new initiative by the trustees whereby part of the sponsorship funding would be used to provide “advanced, customised training and mentoring for this year’s winner in the ‘Emerging Tourism Leader’ category”.

“We have the emerging tourism leader which is for the young people under 35 years of age who are showing great leadership potential.

“The support for the awards has been very good and we are particularly heartened by the number of entries in the sustainability category. This is very important in tourism, we have to operate in a sustainable manner, and sustainable environment and we’ve had large number of entries there.

“The trustees don’t actually get to see the entries; we have an independent judging panel and that judging panel.”

He said ticket sales are going very well, after it only went on sale last week.

To commemorate the Awards 21st anniversary, FETA will feature Sir Michael Jones as the keynote speaker.

The annual event will be held at the Sheraton Resort, Denarau, on Saturday, February 17, bringing together tourism operators from across Fiji to reward and recognise champions of industry.

Tickets are now on sale online at www.myibookpacific.com/feta.

More about the ANZ Fiji Excellence in Tourism Awards at www.feta.com.fj.

Feedback:  maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj