Fiji Hotel Worker Looks Forward To Diwali

If there is something that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught Praneel Deo, it is to cherish family time.

The 27-year-old has been a reservations officer at the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel in Lautoka for four years now.

Slightly affected by the global pandemic, Mr Deo was grateful that he still had his job and was able to support his parents, Sunil Deo and Mohini Devi.

Although the family missed out on the usual massive Diwali celebrations last year because of the pandemic, his family is prepared and ready to welcome the festival of lights next week.

The Raviravi, Ba man has learned to value family time when it comes to celebrating special occasions.

“This pandemic has taught me to cherish time with my family.

“The Tanoa Group looks after its employees well and I am grateful that despite the effects of COVID-19, some of us still had our jobs.

“This is my seventh year being in the tourism industry, I began at Smugglers Cove Beach Resort, Capricorn Hotel Fiji and the Tanoa International Hotel in Nadi before moving to the Tanoa Waterfront Hotel,” he said.

The youngest of four siblings added that because of the hard work of his parents on their sugarcane farm, he was able to attend school and secure a position in the tourism industry.

He said as Fiji slowly normalises he was looking forward to celebrating Diwali with his family in a big way.

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