Yatu Lau Considers Outsourcing

Yatu Lau Company Limited may consider working with international brands for economic reasons, its chairman Viliame Leqa said.

However, the move could take place at a later stage, he said.

Responding to queries about outsourcing the management of the group's tourism properties, Mr Leqa said the internal claims were "news" to him

"At this stage, the Yatu Lau Company Limited has no intention yet to outsource management of any of our current hotel properties to any overseas international brand," he said.

"However, we may in the near future look at opportunities of working together with international brands if the situation warrants purely for economic reasons.

"Would be best for you to look at Fijian Holdings Limited and Fiji National Provident Fund on their partnerships with multinational companies on brand and management outsourcing to understand how the global business models are structured.

"We are at an exploratory stage now and have not decided yet which option to take."

SunBiz has it on good authority that another local tourism management operator is being considered, after initial inqueries with Parkside Hotel Group to manage the resort.

CONTENTION

The matter of outsourcing to a global brand is concerning for locals employed in Yatu Lau, where some feel they may have to look for jobs.

PARKSIDE HOTEL GROUP DEREGISTERED IN LONDON

But an email from Yatu Lau's group chief financial officer Indika Weerasekara to a few executives including Mr Leqa, revealed that Parkside Hotel Group had made a "more profitable" proposal to Yatu Lau Company Limited "regarding the Lagoon (resort)".

Parkside Hotel Group (Fiji) claims to operate in the United States of America, United Kingdom, China, India, Philippines, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Bahrain, Oman, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates.

It also lists Fiji as one of the many countries it operates in.

REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES

Information from the Registrar of Companies prove that Parkside Hotel Group Fiji was registered last year with two directors, namely one Viliame and Pramod.

Local director Viliame Rodan confirmed last night he was the local face of the company.

He said he washed his hands of Parkside "two or three years ago", even though his name was registered as a director of Parkside Fiji.

Mr Rodan said he travelled the world as a consultant and worked to bring in investors.

"I had a better offer in Dubai," Mr Rodan said.

He said he was a consultant, but refused to divulge the capacity in which he served as consultant.

Mr Rodan said Parkside was owned by Pramod J Patel, who was better known as PJ, and lived in America.

Mr Patel could not be reached on a telephone number supplied by Mr Rodan.

DUE DILIGENCE

According to Parkside's letterhead in a draft agreement dated July 1, 2024, with Yatu Lau, the company was registered at Kemp House, 160 City Rd, London ECl V

2NX England, United Kingdom.

However, that address changed in 2022 to 128 City Road, London, according to United Kingdom government website Companies House, which also said Parkside was dissolved in June last year.

The United Kingdom's Companies House said Mr Patel - born 1959 - was the owner before the name change was registered as Parkside Hotel Group Ltd. in recent years.

The details are contained in the United Kingdom's government's document titled "PSC04" which relates to change of "individual person with significant control in the company".

Parkside includes in its list of affiliates Air France, Disney and Sky Team, and lists more than two dozen properties it manages. SkyTeam sent an automated-reply to say it would "fly back to you with a response within five working days."

CHIEF FINANCE OFFICER

The Lagoon Resort in Deuba is one of three tourism properties owned by Yatu Lau Company. Yatu Lau was founded in 1972 by the late Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara as an investment vehicle for Lauans, before the 2007 change which enabled non-Lauan members a stake in the company as B Class shareholders.

In internal correspondence dated July 1, 2024, Mr Weerasekara said "when compared with our numbers", Parkside Hotel Group's profitability would serve Yatu Lau Company's Lagoon property in a "management" capacity.

Mr Weerasekara said he "maintained a relationship" with Parkside Hotel Group vice president world wide operations, PJ Patel, who had "persistently" pushed to take over the management of Yatu Lau Holdings Company, the property investment arm.

"As discussed in our working committee, I have also discussed this with Mr PJ, and he shared his proposals along with the memorandum of understanding for Lagoon Resort; we will be able to further negotiate the rates."

Parkside Hotel listed Mr Patel and a John Kramer, chief executive officer vice president Parkside Hotel Group Ltd (United Kingdom) as executives on its tacky headline.

"The Parkside Hotel Group proposal is more profitable for us regarding the Lagoon (resort)," Mr Weerasekara said.

Feedback: frederica.elbourne@fijisun.com.fj