5 Marriott Fiji Resorts assist their affected team members

Five Marriott International Fiji Resorts - The Westin Denarau Fiji Resort and Spa, Sheraton Fiji Resort, Sheraton Denarau Villas, Sheraton Tokoriki and Marriott Momi Bay Fiji have teamed together, and are assisting their team members and other community members affected by COVID-19 and TC Harold.

Thousands of workers in the tourism and hotel sector in the country are on Leave Without Pay or on reduced hours, and hotel operators are trying to look at ways to look after their staff.

Marriott Hotels in Fiji have already introduced $100 per week, advance loan option for team members on Leave Without Pay since 30th March 2020 to assist them with cash flow during these tough times.

This loan will be recollected from team members before 31st December 2020.

The Marriott resorts in Fiji have set up the “Solia Lesu” (which means “Give Back”) by the Marriott #givebackfijifoundation.

The objective of the Solia Lesu initiative is to provide meals to the staff and their communities that have been affected by COVID-19 and Cyclone Harold as well as first responders and healthcare workers.

Multi Property Vice President, Fiji and Samoa for Marriott International and General Manager for Sheraton and Westin Resorts in Fiji, Neeraj Chadha says during these challenging and unprecedented times, the wellbeing of their associates is of the most outmost importance to them.

Chadha says their objective is to provide associates and their communities with 100 meals per day.

Initial funding has come from donations by the Senior Leadership team and as they progress, they will continue to raise funds by extending their reach to their business partners, family and friends of Fiji for donations, one of which is through their Facebook Page- “SOLIA LESU”.

They have already delivered food packs to Nadi Hospital, Nadi Police Station, Narewa Village and Yavunasia Village since the establishment of the initiative.

They have also welcomed a partnership with long-term business associates, Punjas Group of Companies in support of the “Solia Lesu” initiative.

Chadha says it is great to see Punjas extend their support to their cause by generously offering dry goods consisting of rice, flour and dhal to assist meal preparations for the food drive.

In June 2018, the Fiji National Provident Fund acquired the Marriott Denarau tourism assets, which include the 297-room Sheraton Resort, 246-room Westin Resort, and the 111 hectare Denarau Golf Course and Development Land.

This added to FNPF’s existing impressive stable of hotel assets that include the Fiji Marriott Resort Momi Bay, the Intercontinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa, Holiday Inn Suva and the Grand Pacific Hotel.