FDB Awards: Sabeto Mud Pool Hopeful Of Growing Its Offerings
Sabeto Mud Pool director Ilimeleki Susu said the recognition has boosted the business spirit to expand the services it offers to locals and tourists visiting the country.
Sunday 03 March 2019 | 11:36
Ilimeki Susu Director Sabeto Mud pool and Hot spring winner the Fiji Sun sponsored Tourism Award during FDB National SME awards at Grand Pacific Hotel on February 28, 2019. Photo: Ronald Kumar.
Nestled amongst a natural backdrop of the sleeping giant mountain range a few minutes’ drive from Nadi’s International Airport, one will find the Sabeto Mud Pool and Hot Springs Therapeutic Spa.
This small and medium enterprise was awarded with the Tourism Award at the Fiji Development Bank (FDB) National Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Awards at the Grand Pacific Hotel in Suva on Thursday night.
Sabeto Mud Pool director Ilimeleki Susu said the recognition has boosted the business spirit to expand the services it offers to locals and tourists visiting the country.
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“Tonight, we were discussing with the Fiji Development Bank Manager from the West about the targets and aspirations of expanding our business and we will take the proper procedures going further with our request,” Mr Susu said
“There are major plans in expanding our services, we plan to build self-contained rooms to accommodate tourists and other projects that we hope to build on in the future,” he said.
“The mud pool is for everyone, not only tourists but locals as well that would want to experience the services that we offer.”
Mr Susu said that they had not expected to win the award however they were humbled to be recognised for their service to the industry.
“We did not expect to be awarded tonight, we just wanted to attend and have a feel of the atmosphere of the awards night.
“We are humbled and grateful for the award and we dedicate it to all our hardworking staff and guests who have acknowledged our service through the years.
“The mud pool employs about 48 people at the mud pools and 30 of them are women and this award is a testament of their dedication and commitment.”
He added that they had never asked for or sought assistance from financial institutions but had thrived through the earnings from their business.
“The developments that you see at the mud pools today is all through the earnings from our business over the years.Since my family took over the ownership in 2011, we had developed the business to what it is today, a much refurbished and developed mud pool where we have been providing services from.”
Mr Susu said nothing was impossible if families and communities work together as a team to achieve their shared goals.
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