Radrodro’s homestay blossoms
Thriving business spurs expansion in Nabouwalu.
Saturday 04 January 2025 | 14:30
From left: Lote’s Homestay owner Alipate Radrodro, with a guest at his accommodation centre at Namulomulo, Nabouwalu, Bua, recently.
Lote’s Homestay in Namulomulo, Nabouwalu, Bua, has become a thriving business, welcoming hundreds of visitors during the festive season.
Owner Alipate Radrodro, a former hotel employee, revealed that over 100 guests stayed at the homestay during the busy months of December last year.
The guests included staff from Government agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
The business was established after Tropical CyÂclone Yasa in 2020, with its first customers being Save the Children Fiji staff conducting post-cyclone assessments.
“Save the Children Fiji stayed with us for three months,” said Mr Radrodro.
The 38-year-old, whose previous role as a Business Development Manager at Holiday Inn Suva provided him with valuable experience, saw the homestay as a steppingstone to financial stability and entrepreneurship.
The family home was transformed into the homeÂstay, now offering 17 guest spaces spread across three houses in the village. Rooms are priced at $100 per person per night, inclusive of breakfast and dinner.
“My family, especially my wife, has been my pillar of strength in this venture,” he said.
Customer feedback and diversification
The homestay has received positive feedback as the sole accommodation provider in Nabouwalu, conveniently located near the Nabouwalu Jetty.
“Ferry passengers sometimes stay with us to rest during delays,” Mr Radrodro added.
Building on his success, he launched a vehicle rental business in 2023, now managing 13 vehicles, including a minibus servicing the Nabouwalu-Labasa corridor.
“My homestay business helped me start the rental business,” he said.
Plans for expansion
To meet growing demand, Mr Radrodro plans a major expansion of the homestay, including a swimming pool, bar, and restaurant. Construction, estimated to cost nearly $1 million, will create jobs for 15 people.
“I’ve leased beachfront land from the Mataqali (landowners) to build additional rooms, offering guests either a homestay or a boutique beachfront hotel experience,” he said.
With optimism driving his plans, Mr Radrodro continues to build on his vision of growth and innovation in Nabouwalu.
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