Resilience Keeps Shangri-La Strong

The Shangri-La Fijian Resort and Spa is well known for one thing – guests immediately become part of the Shangri-La family and community.

When borders were open, this sense of belonging had guests from overseas returning year after year.

The same is happening with borders closed.

Locals keep returning to enjoy top-class facilities the 5-star Yanuca island property has to offer.

The monthly ‘Beach, Beats and Eats’ event is a testament to this.

November’s ‘Welcome to Summer Beach Party’ event over the past weekend was a hit.

In fact, the property was booked out on Saturday, November 28, 2020. Bookings are already looking good for the month of December.

Resident manager Chris Hamilton said hosting the monthly event was not a strategic action, it’s simply how the Shangri-La Fijian Resort and Spa operate.

Partnerships maintained over the years allowed the resort to have onboard the energetic Vou Dance Group and Apakuki Nalawa’s Inside Out band.

They’ve been part of the monthly event since it was launched in July.

He said: “During normal times, we work with amazing and inspirational partners, we choose them, and they choose us.  We believe in true partnerships.

“We try to think about how we can support their business and how they can support us. It has to be a symbiotic relationship.”

RESILIENCE

Often touted by tourism industry leaders, the resilience of Fijian people has been inspirational as they move forward.

Mr Hamilton thinks the same.

“I just think it’s just so inspirational.  When I think about it, if there is one place in the world I’d want to be during this time - it would be here.

“Tourism is such a big part of Fijian life these days -there is such a huge responsibility that comes with that during good times and challenging times.

“And as tourism operators, we need to take that on our shoulders and realise that you can’t just pick a fruit from the tree, but you’ve got to look after the tree the whole time.”

Mr Hamiliton also acknowledged the “incredible leadership” of the Fijian Government during the crisis.

COVID-CONTAINED

Like other properties, Shangri-La Fijian Resort and Spa decided early on to exercise the most stringent levels of hygiene and safely protocols.

Staff on the property wear disposable masks while on duty. Those handling food and luggage wear disposable gloves. Hand sanitizers flood communal areas like the popular Beach, Bar and Grill Restaurant.

Mr Hamilton said they’ve been able to build really good habits in the team with continuous training during the quieter periods.

“We see this as part of maintaining our service standard and to safeguard ourselves for the future.

“We see it as the new normal and it’s going to continue for the foreseeable future.”

But Mr Hamilton observed there were two things his team struggled with the most.

He joked that the first was the staff who are unable to give kisses on the cheeks after they sang the birthday song and the second was staying away from cute babies.

“Now they can’t just pick up babies and kiss them or pinch them on the cheek.”

Get in touch with the Reservations Team on email: reservations.fiji@shangri-la.com or call on 6520155