Outrigger on the Lagoon celebrates 10th birthday

You can build the biggest resort with the best facilities but without the embracing charm and openness of supporting staff, in the end they’re just empty buildings.

These are the words of the Chairman of the Outrigger on the Lagoon Dr Richard Kelly during the resorts' 10th birthday celebrations last night.

Dr Kelly said since setting up in 2000 which is considered to be a difficult period for Fiji, the resort has grown and now employs more than 400 people from around the Sigatoka area, which in turn has seen the improvement of standard of living and the education of children.

Dr Kelly said it is the friendliness of not only the staff but also the community that has seen their resort prosper and that is testament when the resort won the AON Fiji excellence and tourism award last year.

Meanwhile Tourism Minister Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said the success of any tourism industry around the world is the friendliness of staff, which is one aspect that Outrigger has stood out for.